11-30-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 The side and rear of the buildings are shown to be entirely vinyl lap siding. Staff continues to recommend a higher grade of material (e.g. “LP”, or fiber-cement board composite siding) in place of vinyl, and additional architectural interest on the sides of the buildings facing Rice Street. Even though the primary entrances to each building will be from the internal private street, the primary view of the project will be from Rice Street, and this exposure would greatly benefit from additional attention. Landscaping Plan. The applicants have submitted an updated landscaping plan that shows a variety of shrubs and trees in the internal courtyard area, a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees between the rear building walls and adjoining property, a planting of deciduous shrubs along the stormwater ponding area, and a planting of ornamental perennials flanking the entrance drive. Staff has the following comments: 1. The plan does not identify ground cover (sodded lawn, mulched planting beds, etc.). This addition should be made to the plan to complete the materials list. 2. The plan does not identify irrigation, but this should be added as a condition of approval. 3. The tree plantings in the rear areas do not show how they will be located in relation to proposed patio spaces (which are mentioned, but not shown on any of the plans). The patios should be added to the plans (or decks, if grading requires it), and the landscaping should address the location of these improvements. 4. The plan notes that patios will be screened by Techny Arborvitae or by six foot fencing. Staff would recommend use of the Arborvitae. 5. The plantings to the south (rear) of the south units does not address screening and/or buffering from the adjoining residential units. The neighbors have asked for a maintenance free fence. Staff would recommend a more extensive planting of larger evergreens, such as Black Hills Spruce. In the alternative, a fence would provide some separation (but would not grow). In addition, maintenance of boundary fences can be problematic. 6. There is a visitor parking area to the east end of the private street, adjoining the stormwater pond. This area should be more extensively planted with evergreen shrubs to ensure that headlights do not impact the single family area to the south. A thicker boundary planting of evergreen trees could replace the need to add shrubs to this area. Summary and Recommendation Planning staff believes a number of the previous comments have been adequately addressed, but there remain a few issues requiring attention. If a Development Stage PUD approval is considered, it should be accompanied by the following conditions: