Minutes - Planning Commission - 05/03/2007

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Presentation Assistant Community Development Director Frolik stated K. Hovnanian Homes has submitted a new preliminary plat and preliminary site plan for the remaining undeveloped area of Ramsey Town Center 7th Addition. Town Center ih Addition, located south of Bunker Lake Blvd. between Rhinestone Street and Town Center Drive, consists of2l acres to be developed with 190 townhomes. The developer, K. Hovnanian Homes is proposing to revise the ratio of rowhouse units to back-to-back units, which necessitates a change in the plat and site plan. The previously approved site plan contained 36 back-to-back units and 154 rowhouses. The revisions to the development area will result in 100 back-to-back units and 86 rowhouses. The developer indicates that the homebuyers prefer the back-to-backunits; the increase in back-to-back units will provide a more equal mix of housing styles. Assistant Community Development Director Frolik stated the architectural standards of the back- to-back and rowhouse units were reviewed and approved with the plat of Town Center ih Addition. No changes are proposed to the architectural standards. However, it is noted that the back-to-back buildings are being increased from 6 unit to 8 and 10 unit buildings. With the revised site plan all of the setbacks are being met and no variances will be required. Ms. Frolik stated the TC-4b District requires 2 off-street parking spaces for each unit. The double garages and driveways provide 4 off-street parking spaces for each unit. The previous site plan contained a total of 58 overflow parking spaces over the entire project area. The revised plans also provide 58 overflow parking spaces overall. The Grading and Drainage and Utility Plans have been reviewed. The necessary revisions are listed in the City Staff Review Letter. The revised Landscaping Plan is acceptable with one or two very minor adjustments described in the City Staff Review Letter. Assistant Community Development Director Frolik stated movement of pedestrians from this neighborhood to other areas of the Town Center, especially the core, is essential. The perimeter of all 3 blocks will continue to have sidewalks or trails that are either interior to the site or a part of the Town Center trail system in road right-of-ways. The site plan proposes a system of interior sidewalks that connect with the Town Center trail system. Staff has suggested the addition of a sidewalk connection between Rhinestone Way and the sidewalk along East Ramsey Parkway. Ms. Frolik advised staff recommends preliminary plat and preliminary site plan approval contingent upon compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated April 26, 2007. Citizen Input Mr. Shawn Siders, K. Hovnanian Homes, stated they are here this evening to seek modification to the site plan for Symphony at Town Center with an increase in the chateau units and a decrease in the hometown units to more closely balance the housing mix within their community. The revised site plan includes an increase in the chateau units to 100 and a decrease in the hometown units to 86. Great care has been taken to design this modification. K. Hovnanian has been actively selling in Ramsey since fall of 2004 and the chateau models are in greater demand than originally anticipated. Mr. Siders stated these plans were presented to the City Council at a work session, and because of the positive feedback that was received they have come forward Planning Commission/ May 3, 2007 Page 4 of7