2001 Planning Commission Packets

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Mezzenga Development Review January 3, 2001 Page 3 D� aina�e: The lot at 7664 Greenfield Avenue, and tiiose that surround the subject properi:y, are essentiaily flat with little if any change in elevation. The proposed developmez�t will add a relatively minimat area of impervious surface. Because of that, the lack of elevatior� change, and the requiremeni of perimeter curbing, staff does not consid�r sto�nvvater runoff to be an issue for the adjoining praperties or the City's stormsewer system. Even so, staff would suggest thai the parking lot be constructed with a slight slope to drain stog-mwater toward the north and east, away from the building, into areas of perviou§ greenspace. This is a technique encauraged by Rice Creek Watershed Districi and consistent with its "best management practices" philosophy. The perimeter curbing shalt be constructed with breaks or surmountable points to allow for the sionnwater to pass through, thus allowing water to i�filtrate and recharge the aquifers rather than being discharging untreated directly into City stai°nzsewers. {Riee Creek Watershed District does not need to review this developmeni as it falls well below the minimum acreage threshald.) Landscapir��: No landscaping plans were submitted with this proposal, though because of the small scale of the development, staff would recommend that any required landscaping be shown on the site plan, along with any required fencing. Because of the close proximity of the home to the south on Greenf�eld Avenue, the need to provide for screening and buffering is important. This can be accamplished vvith a row of planiix�gs, such as lilacs or evergreens, or with the construction of a fence. Whiie staff would prefer a more naturral buffer, the drawback is that it would take years to fitlly screen the building when a fence wouid provide for immediate screening. In this case, inpu� from the affected neighbor would be helpful. The greenspace between the parking lot and building and the strset frontages (boulevards) should be improved with a series of iandscaped areas, set back a sufficient distance from tl�e paricing lot to allaw for winter snow storage. The landscaped areas should include a mixture of shrubs and other 1ow-growth vegetation. (While trees would be a significant addition, none should be planted within 50 feet of County Road I to preserve unobstructed motorist visibility.) The landscaped areas will function both as a visual amenity as well an entry point for stortnwater runoff. The area immediateiy surrounding the boulevard landscaping should be graded sarnewhat lower to allow far stormwater re�ention during periodic heavy rains. Staff wiii provide the applican� and the Commission with a sketch as ta how the landscaping areas can be configured. In addition, the applicant will need to indicate the specific names and numbers of plantings to be utilized on the site. ihe City Forest�r will review the plantings to ensure corr�patibility" with Mounds View soils and make recomtxiendations if necessary. All non-landscaped pervious axeas shall be sodded. Buildin Exterior: The front buiiding elevation indicat�s a one and a half story building with a hipped roof and covered entryway. The building exhibits an aesthet�caliy pleasing, cont�xt-sensiiive residential appearance. 5�aff is nat aware what materials will be utilized for the building ex�erior but would re�omm��nd that brick or stone be used for ihe base and anaintenance free or treated cedar siding be utilized on the upper half. The brick treatment and an� other archiiectural features shall b� exhibited at a minirnum on both building frant elevations.