Minutes - Council - 05/31/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Strommen, Pearson, Cook, Elvig, Jeffrey, and Olson. Voting No: None. COUNCIL BUSINESS Case #1: Request for Preliminary Plat and Preliminary Site Plan Approval of Symphony at Town Center; Case of Ramsey Town Center LLC Assistant Community Development Director/HRA Executive Director Frolik explained Ramsey Town Center, LLC has submitted a preliminary plat and preliminary site plan to develop 190 townhomes on approximately 21 acres located on Outlot U, Ramsey Town Center Addition and portions of Outlot B, Ramsey Town Center 2nd Addition. The proposed development is located south of Bunker Lake Boulevard, north of East Ramsey Parkway, east of Town Center Drive and west of Rhinestone Street NW. The subject property is currently zoned Town Center-4b Neighborhood District (TC-4b). The TC-4b District allows for residential uses at a net density of up to 15 units per acre. The sketch plan reviewed in February proposed 152 units for a density of 12.6 units per acre. The direction to the applicants at the time of sketch plan review was to try and maximize the density allowed. Subsequent to the sketch plan, additional acreage, dwelling units, pocket green spaces, rain gardens, and a public road were added to the project proposal. In order to keep the density as close to 15 units per acre as possible, the plat was designed with driveways 20 feet in length versus the 25 feet required in City Code. The net result of these modifications is a preliminary plat that now consists of 190 units for a density of 11.6 units per acre. Assistant Community Development Director/HRA Executive Director Frolik stated the building elevations indicate that there will be 33 buildings containing 36 back-to-back units and 154 row house units. The TC-4b District requires a height range of 2-4 stories; all of the units will be 2- story. Thc Town Center Development Guidelines establish a brick enhancement threshold equal to 35% of the non-glazed area of the front facing wall, unless the building design is enhanced through other means such as covered porch areas, broken roof lines, articulated faqade and material or color changes. The Chateau product contains a brick enhancement equal to 17% of the non-glazed area of the front wall. However, the Chateau product also utilizes all of the design alternatives mentioned. The Hometown product contains a brick enhance equal to 23% of the non-glazed area of the front wall. She advised the City Staff Review Letter noted that the Itometown product could use some additional design features in lieu of the additional brick. At the May 19 Planning Commission meeting, the applicants submitted a revised elevation for the t-lometown that added two double dormers to the roof line. The Planning Commission and staff accepted the architectural design of the Hometown product as modified. All of the units significantly exceed City Code minimum floor area requirements for townhomes. Assistant Community Development Director/HRA Executive Director Frolik explained the maximum front yard setback is 20 feet. All of the buildings, with the exception of two buildings that front on Rhinestone Street, meet the setback requirement. According to the master trail plan for Town Center, there will be a sidewalk in the right-of-way for Rhinestone Street. This extends the measurement distance to beyond the property line and into the right-of-way. Also, Rhinestone Street is designed with a slight curve, which also adds to the distance between units and sidewalk. The applicants will be applying for a variance. She explained staff is currently processing an ordinance to amend City Code to reduce the required minimum driveway length in Town Center from 25 to 20 feet. In taking a look at some of the sketch plans, it appears that City Council / May 31, 2005 Page 3 of 8