05-05-2022 Planning Commission Packet

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And PID# 05-29-22-21-0030 (0.64 acres / 27,878 sf) 3034 Desoto Street, Little Canada, Minnesota 55117 Lot 17, Block 2 of Gervais Heights, Ramsey County, Minnesota Currently designated R-3 – Higher Density Residential Exiting use – R-1 And PID# 05-29-22-21-0029 (0.64 acres / 27,878 sf) Desoto Street, Little Canada, Minnesota 55117 Lot 16, Block 2 of Gervais Heights, Ramsey County, Minnesota Currently designated R-3 – Higher Density Residential Exiting use – R-1 The site is 19.77 gross acres (861,180 sf) which includes 4.6 acres (200,376 sf) allocated to an overhead powerline easement. The enclosed site plan includes a table detailing the layout of the proposed townhomes, the extension of public right-of-way and layout of private streets. Development Overview • Infrastructure: The neighborhood will be served by public and private streets and public utilities. An extension of Vanderbie will tie in at the northern boundary line through the site and connect to Allen Avenue in the south. Additional private roads and visitor parking will accommodate internal circulation throughout the community. • Ponding: The site is currently flat with poor drainage. The site will be graded to drain toward the overhead powerline easement area where ponds will be established and connected to the municipal drainage system. Soil borings indicate organic and clay-like soils so infiltration may not be possible. Ponds will be designed to collect water from the entire development and then slowly release into the municipal system, thereby protecting adjacent and downstream properties. • Landscaping: Reforestation will be implemented throughout the site where possible, in accordance with City code. Lennar also proposes to plant wooded buffers to screen adjacent existing residents from vehicle headlights. • Developer/Builder: Lennar will act as both developer of the property and builder of the homes. Development Flexibility To accommodate the request for increased density on the northern portion of the site and create more green space along the southern boundary, we are asking for a variance on setbacks for buildings with greater than four (4) units. The site’s northern boundary is encumbered by an existing gas line blanket easement. A product of discussions with the owner of the pipeline resulted in a size reduction of the easement area. The easement will be reduced to a 25’ setback from the center of the pipe. In addition, City code has an additional setback related to pipeline easements. Given there are existing homes within the setback created by City code, we are asking the City to match the newly reduced pipeline easement area.