Laserfiche WebLink
Element Design-Build LLC <br />Element-db.com <br />iii. The proposed project’s compatibility with the existing neighborhood is <br />established through: <br />1. Creating all 1-1/2 story units which are similar in height to existing <br />housing nearby <br />2. Using similar materials and color palettes to nearby houses and buildings <br />on Lake Elmo Ave. <br />3. Utilizing varied pitched roofs and wall planes to tie into the existing <br />massing and shape of nearby homes and the break the building down <br />into smaller parts <br />4. Using similar window patterning as nearby homes and businesses <br />5. Creating primary entrances that face the street and sidewalks to <br />encourage pedestrian connection to the neighborhood <br />6. Minimizing the visual impact of the garages by having them face to the <br />side and applying architectural treatments so they don’t appear like front <br />facing garages including generous windows, accent roofs, and siding <br />material changes. <br /> <br />After listening to feedback from the community at the Planning Commission <br />meeting on 11/28, the design and development team reworked the configuration <br />of the project to better address many of the concerns shared at that meeting in an <br />effort to make the project best fit the neighborhood context it is in and ease <br />neighbors’ concerns. Concerns voiced included: <br />1. Lack of parking other than enclosed garages <br />2. Stormwater management concerns <br />3. Rear driveway taking up much of the west side and rear yards with pavement <br />4. Screening train noise from the south to units <br />5. Screening to neighboring properties <br />6. Snow management <br />7. Large scale of the building compared to neighboring buildings <br />8. Management of the property <br /> <br />The reworking of the design removes the large driveway to access the rear facing <br />garages while keeping the front doors facing Upper 33rd Street and minimizing <br />the visual impact of the garage. The advantages that relate to the concerns raised <br />include: <br />1. Adding two guest parking stalls in addition to the two stalls per unit of <br />parking already provided, each conveniently located close to the unit entries <br />2. Reducing impervious surface by almost 20% which helps with stormwater <br />management. Also, see final stormwater design and calculations submitted.