Agenda - Council - 03/25/1997 - Revised

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In accordance with City Code, the Landscape Plan provides for tree screening between the multifamily development and the single family homes along the north and east plat boundaries. City Code requires a minimum screening height of 5 feet; the plantings proposed are slightly deficient of this requirement and the Landscape Plan should be amended accordingly. There is also a substantial amount of landscaping proposed around the structures themselves. At the time of sketch plan review, the question was raised regarding whether or not the MR District requires this development proposal to be rezoned to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The City Attorney has ruled that it does not require a rezoning, but is implying that the development proposal be reviewed with PUD criteria taken into consideration. Those criteria and staff's response are as follows: a) The proposal shall provide for a wider range of housing types, price ranges and styles. Townhomes do provide for that wider range of housing type, style and price range. Ramsey's existing stock of multifamily housing is minimal. b) The proposal shall provide amenities and facilities and open spaces greater than the minimum requirements of existing zoning. If the park dedication requirement were to be satisfied with a land dedication, the minimum code would require based on the number of units is 20%. A calculation of the open space on the proposal exceeds 20%. c) The proposed development is compatible with the purposes and intents of this chapter (MR District regulations) and the Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the MR District is to provide appropriate development guidelines for multifamily districts. The proposed density of the plat is well within the established guidelines. The Land Use element of the City's Comprehensive Plan is outdated and Council has already taken action to slate this area for a mixture of single family, multifamily and commercial uses. d) The proposed development shall provide a minimum of 20°/6 open space uses protected by adequate covenants or dedications. The landscaped ponding area in the northeast comer of the plat is being dedicated as a drainage and utility easement on the final plat. e) The proposal shall exercise not substantial detrimental influence on the market value of surrounding properties. Affirmative as the proposed value of the townhomes is comparable to the adjacent single family homes. 0 That the proposal shall show a favorable economic impact on the community. The development on vacant land with municipal water and sanitary sewer available to it will result in a higher use of the existing utilities and generate additional tax revenue. g) That the proposed use shall in no way be detrimental to the environment. The development will be served by municipal utilities and storm sewer. Numerous trees will be added to land currently void of vegetation.