Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/02/2005

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condominiums. The preliminary plat shows the residential units contained in 12 separate buildings. All of the proposed units meet the setback and driveway length requirements. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the preliminary plat shows a combination of public and private streets. The development is surrounded by public roads (East Ramsey Parkway, Peridot St., 146~h Ave., and Rhinestone St.). The private streets are all shown to be 24 feet wide and meet City requirements. The development is providing 15 parking nodes along the private streets. He indicated minor changes need to be made to the drainage, grading, and utility plans as noted in the Staff Review Letter. Community Development Director Trudgeon explained per the Master Development Agreement, the City and the Master Developer have negotiated a Park and Trail Dedication Agreement. In accordance with the Park and Trail Dedication Agreement, there are no park dedication or trail developments fees on this Ramsey Town Center 6th Addition. He explained as part of the Town Center AUAR, a detailed traffic analysis was completed that anticipated the type and size of development shown on the plat. The proposed development is consistent with the traffic modeling system used as part of the AUAR analysis. Regional road improvements to facilitate the whole Ramsey Town Center development have been agreed upon and have already begun constructionl This proposed development does not generate more traffic than was anticipated. Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated the development is proposing two different attached housing styles (row house units and back to back units). Elevations of the proposed buildings, identifying exterior treatment of materials and color have been provided and found to be acceptable. The proposed units are similar to the units approved in Ramsey Town Center 2nd Addition. The landscaping plan has been reviewed. Overall the landscaping plan is good. However, as noted in the Staff Review Letter dated April 15, 2005, the plan must be revised to incorporate coniferous plantings into the design and include planting specifications for both deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. He advised the Planning Commission reviewed the preliminary, plat and the preliminary site plan at their April 21, 2005 meeting. There was a lot of discussion about pedestrian connections. One of the comments of the Staff Review Letter was regarding sidewalk' connections from Horton 1 and Horton 4 to East Ramsey Parkway. The Planning Commission suggested a sidewalk adjacent to the private roads (Horton 1 and Horton 4), cutting across the driveways. He indicated,this would have a strong implication on the design with the driveways bisected by a sidewalk. There is some question as to whether or not people would use the sidewalks or the private road. This would also affect the driveway lengths and the density. There would likely be concern by the developer about the marketability of the units with the sidewalks intersecting the driveways. Councilmember Olson asked how far apart the driveways would be. Community Development Director Trudgeon replied the driveways would be four feet apart. Councilmember Olson indicated she understands the concern of the Planning Commission about safety issues, but with the driveways that close ~ogether she fails to see how a sidewalk would improve the safety. P58 City Council/April 26, 2005 Page 14 of 23