Agenda - Council - 11/14/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-200- 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. 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, some revisions to the site plan and/or plat may be necessary. 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 applicant has submitted several revised color building elevations, which are included in a separate packet from the agenda. At the work session, Council requested elevations with 2 separate garage doors per unit, which are included. Staff also asked the applicant for another version with only 1 garage door for comparison. While the applicant has made several revisions to the original black and white elevations, staff is still recommending a few additional changes, included wrapping the brick and shakes around the side of the building, extending the covered walkway on both sides of the building, and including a decorative fence along the covered walkway. The applicant has stated that each building will be a different earth -tone color, and all will meet the 35% brick requirement. Color and brick percentage will be verified at building permit review. 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 • •