Minutes - Council Work Session - 05/02/2006

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COUNCIL TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A) Ebony Woods Sketch Plan Ass't Community Development DirlHRA Executive Dir. Frolik stated the City has received a sketch plan to develop 8 townhome units (two 4-unit structures) on the property located on the east side of Ebony Street NW, just south of Superbowl. The subject property is approximately 1.1 acres in size and is zoned B-1 Business. Development of the property with townhomes will require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use from Places to Shop to Medium Density Residential. The Comprehensive Plan amendment, if approved, would be followed up with a rezoning of the property from B-2 Business to R-2 Medium Density Residential. The sketch plan proposed 8 units on the 1.1 acres. This equates to a density of 7.3 units per acre, which exceed City Code standards. Ms. Frolik indicated the Planning Commission reviewed the sketch plan on April 6th. Several neighborhood residents were present to express their opposition to the townhome development. The residents preferred that the property remain zoned as commercial. The Planning Commission stated if they were to consider a Comprehensive Plan amendment, the number of units would have to be reduced. They also suggested that the developer meet with the neighbors and try to develop a plan that is acceptable to both the applicant and the neighbors. Dan Murphy, Generation Homes representing the applicant, stated the plan has been revised to a 6-unit site. Part of the problem when he appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission was that he believes there was a misunderstanding. The residents in the area seemed to feel they were trying to put in some inexpensive row type housing, which was not the intention. He had a chance to talk with the residents after the meeting and explained the intention is to have units in the $300,000 range. There would be a master bedroom, bath and laundry on the main floor, and the units would be more senior oriented. As far as the concern regarding cars and extra traffic, a commercial site would likely have more cars and traffic than this residential proposal. Mr. Murphy stressed this development will not be a low income or small row type project; it will include six nice townhomes. The Council discussed the following issues in relation to the sketch plan: · Surrounding land use, bordered by residential and commercial. · Location of the site behind Superbowl. o Councilmember Jeffrey indicated the only potential downfall he sees is locating high-end townhomes that would back up against Superbowl. Mr. Murphy replied the units have been oriented with a view of the common area, and a 6 to 8 foot privacy fence is planned to run along the side of the property adjacent to Superbowl. · Single-family versus townhomes; breaking the fayade up to look like single-family homes. o Mayor Pro Tern Elvig stressed that the units should be upscale, and the importance that the townhomes appear as part of the neighborhood. Mr. Murphy indicated the plan would likely include gabled roofs, architectural shakes, and brick with siding accents · Open space requirements associated with the Critical River Corridor. City Council Work Session / May 2, 2006 Page 2 of 10