Minutes - Council - 08/24/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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included 335 units and the new sketch plan reduced the number to 294 homes and no court homes. The name of the development would be "Preserve at Sunfish Lake" which they felt was appropriate since they would be preserving wetlands and trees. Denny Griswald, Registered Landscape Architect for Pulte, explained that it is Pulte's intent to maximize the open space and save as many trees and natural features of the area as possible, but also keep a density that makes it economically feasible for the development. Mr. Griswald reviewed the current sketch plan that includes a combination of single family homes, manor homes, and club homes. The new plan includes 38 single-family association care homes through the area that backs existing single family homes. He explained that the benefit of density transferring is saving natural features in comparison to a typical single family layout. The benefits of the development would be the preservation of trees and meaningful open spaces, integrating a path system and providing the pathway along the right-of-way of the streets, and also a pathway along the marsh and lake. Mr. Griswald explained that in a single family housing development the homes would be platted to include the marsh and out to the lakeshore which would not allow for public or association access. The total site would be within associations and have maintenance of common elements. The single family area would have restrictions within the association in regards to building sheds, fence types, elements that would create a character in the neighborhood. The other concern was that the development would mean a higher density, which is not the case because the density is 3.1 units per acre in a total effective situation and in a single-family situation you could have 3.3 units per acre. He also explained that the standard yard setback is 40 feet and in the proposed plan the average setback will be 122 feet which will allow berms to be placed between the development and the existing homes. Mr. Grant explained that the manor home is a single family attached home ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet and having an average sale price of $135,000-$170,000. On average, the buyer is married, over 35, 60 percent have a four-year degree, .32 children live at home which would have an approximate total of 26 children in the manor home development. The Club Home is a single family attached townhome for active adults, ranging from 1,200-2,400 square feet and an average sale price of $150,000-$220,000. On average, the buyer is 60 or older, usually retired and the number one reason for purchasing the club home is the single level living. Mr. Grant reviewed an article in the Star Tribune in regards to the increase of the aging community and the need for more housing which will soar by 254 percent in the surrounding five counties. He explained that there would be 135 detached single family homes, 38 of them would have association care. There will be three one-level plans and one split entry plan for the 38 homes under the association. The square footage would range from 1,300-2,500 and the average sale price would be $170,000-$250,000. Two-thirds of the owners would be 50 and older and still working. Mr. Grant noted that he received a letter from William and Donna Malecha, 14660 Potassium Street NW, Ramsey, in support of the project. Mayor Gamec noted that he received the same letter from Bill and Donna Malecha. Councilmember Hendriksen asked the amount of property the homeowners will own on the 20- acre parcel to the south of Sunwood Drive. City Council/August 24, 1999 Page 7 of 25