Minutes - Council - 12/18/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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proposal will be subject to a comprehensive plan amendment under the existing (1995) Comprehensive Plan. The March 2001 Draft Comprehensive Plan shows this area being designated for medium density residential and medium density has been defined as a maximum of seven units an acre. The property is approximately 14.08 acres in size. The site plan shows a net density of six units per acre. The proposed townhome structures consist of eight, ten, and twelve units ranging in building size fi.om 9,248 square feet, 11,016 square feet, and 12,784 square feet, respectively. City Code restricts lot coverage to 35% and the site plan indicates a total of 91,664 square feet of building space being constructed. Lot coverage on the subject property will be approximately 15%; this meets City Code requirements. The applicable setbacks are 42 feet from the entire perimeter of the parcel to the structures and 35 feet from the public street to the townhome structures. The State of Minnesota Building Code requires owner/occupant structures to maintain a 10-foot separation between buildings. The townhome units are approximately 25 feet from the private drives. The proposed development meets the applicable setbacks. The site plan is proposing a public street through the development that will connect to a private street located on the Lord of Life Church property. Private drives are being proposed throughout the development as access points from the townhome units to Cobalt Street which in turn provides access to Sunwood Drive. The landscaping plan generally meets City requirements. The project is subject to the review and permitting process of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Org .anization (WMO). The development will be required to obtain a permit from MnDOT showing the post and pre development calculations in order to review any impact on State Highway #47 right-of-way. MnDOT submitted a letter dated November 13, 2001, in which a comment was made in regard to the development being located along State Highway #47. It is MnDOT's opinion that traffic along State Highway #47 could possibly exceed noise level standards established by the MPCA. Minnesota Rule 7030.0030 states that cities are the responsible agency for enforcing MPCA noise level standards. Orfin Thompson Homes has hired a consultant to study projected traffic noise levels produced on State .Highway #47 for the next 20 years. The Planning Commission met on December 4, 2001, and recommended that the City Council approve the site plan for Birch Hill Lodges contingent upon compliance with Staff Review Letter dated November 30, 2001 revised December 14, 2001. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that along Sunwood Drive there are sidewalks on both sides of the road and questioned if it would be reasonable to do so along Cobalt Street. Councilmember Kurak replied that she thought it would be an excellent idea if it was feasible. City Engineer Jankowski noted that it would be possible to construct sidewalks on both sides of Cobalt Street. Motion by. Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Mayor Gamec, to approve the site plan for Birch Hill Lodges contingent upon compliance with City staff review letter dated November 30, 2001, revised December 14, 2001, and receiving a rezoning, comprehensive plan amendment, and final plat approval, and requiring public sidewalks on both sides of Cobalt Street within the limits of the plat. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Anderson, and Zimmerman. Voting No: Councilmember Hendriksen. City CounciFDecember 18, 2001 Page 15 of 27