Agenda - Council - 10/09/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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R -2 Residential District standards were used to review the proposal. The permitted density in the R- 2 Residential District is 3 -7 units per acre. The preliminary plat proposes 6 units on 1.1 acres, resulting in a density of 5.5 units per acre. The proposed twinhome lots are all 40 feet in width 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 may be permitted as part of the PUD, if approved by the City Council. 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. The revised site plan meets all setback requirements, and shows the buildings staggered, as directed by the City Council. The buildings are set back substantially farther from Ebony Street (55 -60 feet) than on the earlier plan. Staff would note that a single - family home is under construction directly south of the site, which will be 30 feet from the street. Impervious Surface/Landscaping 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 draft standards require new developments to be processed as a PUD, preserve 50% open space, and limit impervious surface to 25 %. The revised site plan has an impervious surface of 35 %. The City Council has indicated in the past that an increase in impervious surface might be permissible, given the desire to stagger the buildings to improve the overall aesthetics of the project. This can be approved as part of the PUD, if Council is so inclined. The landscaping plan has been revised to include some foundation plantings and two rain gardens in front of the buildings. Staff is recommending some different plant species to improve the function of the rain gardens. Staff is also recommending some additional plantings or a-fence in the front yard of Lot 1, to provide some additional buffering against the new single- family home currently under construction directly south of the site. Site Access and Grading: 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. Architectural Requirements: The R -2 District has some specific architectural requirements, which are discussed 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. Each building will be a different earth -tone color, each with a different gable style. The submitted elevations meet the R -2 District requirements. The City Council most recently reviewed this submittal at the April 10, 2007 meeting, and directed the applicant to prepare a revised plan set, including building elevations, that show staggering of the buildings, and color and materials. The site plan has been revised to show staggered buildings, and the elevations have been revised to include color and materials. Staff is recommending that each unit have a different garage door style, to compliment the different gable style in each building.