Agenda - Council - 12/28/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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with the exception of Lot 6, which is 44 feet wide. The R-2 Residential District requires 50-foot lots for twinhomes. A reduced lot width maybe permitted as part of the PUD, if approved by the City. All proposed lots exceed the minimum lot size for twinhomes of 7,000 square feet. The R-2 District requires a front yard, side yard, and rear yard setback of 30 feet, 10 feet, and 30 feet respectively. All the proposed units meet these requirements. 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 surface (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 2nd 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 maybe necessary. The R-2: Medium Density Residential district has some specific architectural requirements, which are reviewed in the staff review letter. 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 applicant has submitted several revised color building elevations, which are included in a separate packet from the agenda. The submitted elevations meet the R-2 District requirements. The Council most recently reviewed this case on November 14th, 2006 and directed the applicant to prepare additional revisions to the building elevations, which are marked as "3rd Submittal" in your packet. The revised elevations show the brick and shakes wrapped around the sides of the building as requested by Staff, however, Staff continues to have some concerns about the dominance of the garage doors. The applicant has stated that many different building layouts/plans have been reviewed, and that this plan is needed to provide one-level living and meet the desired price point. Staff is looking for direction from Council regarding whether or not -196-