Agenda - Council - 09/26/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-364— The property is located in the Mississippi River Overlay District, but is located over 800 feet from the river itself. The City is in the process of updating the regulations in accordance with State rules. The District requirements state that the project shall be developed as a Planned Unit Development, shall preserve 50% of the land as open space, and restrict impervious (rooftop and pavement) to 25% _of the lot area (or up to 35% with a Conditional Use Permit). The site plan shows 71% open space in the yard areas for the twinhome units, resulting in 29% impervious surface. As the Overlay District requirements are not yet effective, staff feels the submitted plat meets the intent of the open space and impervious surface requirements. It should be noted that current river regulations limit impervious surface to 30 %, which the plan meets. The development will receive public access from Ebony Street, a dedicated and improved public street. Each unit will have its own driveway access onto Ebony Street, which is acceptable to staff. Some revisions are required to the grading and drainage plan. A permit is required from the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. The R -2: Medium Density Residential district requires the following architectural requirements: 1) The front facade of structures shall consist of a minimum of 35% brick, stone, or stucco; 2) A minimum of three colors shall be used for each structure. Also, an effort should be made to vary colors among structures; and 3) All structures shall include at least 2 of the following items: articulated/cantilevered facade, dormers, articulated roof line, balconies, porches, or decks, or window treatments. The proposed units appear to contain some brick, but the elevations lack enough detail for staff to verify this. No information on color was submitted. Staff has requested revised building elevations. Some minor changes are required to the landscaping plan. Density transitioning is required along the eastern boundary of the site. Existing vegetation within the tree preservation area appears to satisfy the transitioning requirement. The lot to the south, Lot 1 Block 1 Clemens 2 " Add, is currently vacant. City Code does not require density transitioning measures when a proposed residential development is adjacent to a vacant parcel. However, that lot was just recently created (received final plat approval in November of 2005) with the intent of constructing a single family home on the lot. If the City Council wishes to require additional landscaping along the southern property line, the following should be considered: • There are a number of trees on the vacant lot that would provide screening. ■ These existing trees are not under the control of the developer, and thus no conditions /stipulations can be placed on them concerning preserving or replacing them. • If additional landscaping is required for transitioning purposes, there is not adequate growing space between the proposed building and the property line, considering the canopy spread of the existing trees. A revised site layout would be necessary. The Planning Commission reviewed the preliminary plat and site plan at their September 7, 2006 meeting. The Commission recommended denial of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezoning requests, but did want to provide some comments on the plan and site plan in the event that the City Council is inclined to approve the plat. The consensus of the Commissioners was that the current plan was an improvement over the previous plan that showed 8 townhome units.