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<br />Associate Planner Dalnes advised access is problematic on the site. Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH <br />5) is a County Road. It is anticipated that the Highway Department will not grant access for the <br />additional lots requested because the spacing guidelines from the intersection of Sunwood Drive <br />are not met. The development proposes to construct a public cul-de-sac with a private street <br />extending from the public "spine." Any streets, public or private, must have a turnaround <br />provision. The proposed townhomes would require density transitioning measures on the <br />portions of property abutting existing single-family homes. It does not appear that there is <br />sufficient space to accommodate the transitioning requirements on this property. <br /> <br />Ms. DaInes advised staff is not recommending that the applicant move forward as proposed. <br />Access is problematic, and it is anticipated that the County will strongly discourage increasing <br />the number of units serviced by the current access from one to ten. Density transitioning is <br />difficult on a parcel this size. Also, staff does not support the upzoning given the proximity of a <br />neighborhood of low density, single family homes. Staff would recommend that the applicant re- <br />submit a plan that conforms to the single-family zoning district. Ms. DaInes requested the <br />Commission provide the developer with feedback and direction related to the proposed sketch <br />plan. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt stated he has reservations about this development. He has similar concerns <br />with this development as he had with the GADS Prairie development, including access issues to <br />Nowthen Boulevard, density as it relates to the existing residential neighborhood and <br />inconsistency with the surrounding community. He requested input from the applicant regarding <br />squeezing ten units on this 1.9 acre site. <br /> <br />Mr. Tom Rollings, CBR Development, stated he talked to the City about this site three years ago. <br />It is not a pleasant site in its current condition; it is challenging with its frontage on a county <br />road, which makes it a little less desirable for a single family development. Townhome buyers <br />tend to be little easier to deal with for a site that is challenging like this. As far as to squeeze 10 <br />townhomes on the site, they have put together a sketch plan and are looking for feedback from <br />the Commission and the residents to determine what can be worked out. CBR Development <br />would like to take away what is currently on the site and put something there that works for them <br />as a project and for the neighborhood as an amenity. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt requested the applicant to comment on the density transitioning aspect of the <br />proposed sketch plan, which staff has noted would be challenging. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt pointed out issues with the sketch plan in relation to site access, number of <br />units, and general inconsistency with the surrounding development. He stated the placement of <br />the units lined up along the back of the property looks structured in a manner to accommodate <br />the developer's interest in maximizing the available density on the site, not necessarily towards <br />providing an aesthetic development that fits well with the surrounding community. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/January 4, 2007 <br />Page 9 of 36 <br /> <br />P9 <br />