04-09-2015 Planning Comm. Agenda

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The plan does not identify how the plat will impact the pond, and it would be common for the plat to include drainage easements over the pond/wetland area. As a condition of plan approval, the City should obtain a trail easement along the pond border to continue the trail that borders the pond to the south. Additional detail should be provided as to the use and development of Outlot A that is being reserved from the platted area. If it is to be programmed for future development, a concept plan would be helpful to illustrate how such development might proceed. Site Plan. The site plan provides for a driveway entrance from Rice Street at the south end of the property that would access a parking area between Rice Street and the proposed building. From the north end of the parking area, the driveway would continue to an access point with Country Drive. From this extension, a separate drive would provide access to underground parking below the primary structure. The building sits about 60 feet from the south property, and is set back from Rice Street by about 75 feet at its closest point. The building is within 40 — 70 feet of Black Tern Pond along the south half of the structure, with a much greater setback on the northerly portion. The Ramsey -Washington Metro Watershed District regulates projects that may impact the pond, and utilizes a setback measurement that should be reviewed with the District to ensure acceptability of the concept. The building itself is shown in the drawings to be four stories in height, with a measurement to the top line of windows of about 42 feet. Including half of the gabled roof, the height for zoning ordinance purposes would be 50 feet. One item unclear from the plans as submitted would be how the grading of the steeply sloped site will be addressed for the side of the building facing the pond. The building elevation appears to show a flat building pad, which seems unlikely give the existing conditions. This should be clarified with a more developed grading plan. The units in the building range in floor area from 443 square feet to 1,157 square feet. The first floor includes dining area and reception, as well as a commercial kitchen. The first floor also includes 32 units, all of which are smaller in size. The second floor includes a salon, community room, library, and business center, along with 26 units of mixed sizes. The upper two floors 31 units each (again of mixed size) and no other common areas. As noted, the total unit count is 120. Based on the colored floor plan, there are 50 of the smaller (blue) sized units, 51 of the middle-sized units (dark green) between 682 and 756 square feet, and 19 of the largest units (light green and purple) which range from 953 to 1157 square feet in floor area. The predominant building materials include the following: • Rock -faced concrete masonry units exposed around the garage door lower level. • Face brick along the first floor elevation, up to full height of the floor in the front, or as wainscot height in the rear. The front includes brick along the 2"d floor around the main entrance area.