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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 20, 2005 Page 12 1 Avenue and reviewed with the Commission. 2 3 John Harriss, Harriss Architects, stated there is great potential on this site noting that it is a 4 gateway to the community. He stated that when they reviewed the site a couple of things stood 5 out including the intersection at Kenzie Terrace and Lowry,which would provide a great 6 opportunity for green space and a pocket park. He stated that the property has two exposures 7 from Lowry and Kenzie Terrace noting that if the building were turned it would create a 8 formidable presence from both perspectives adding that the main entry would come in off Lowry. 9 He stated that they would also provide access to an underground parking area and a drop-off area 10 at the front of the building. He stated that the proposed building would be 4-stories above grade 11 with 66-spaces for parking,with most of the parking being underground. He explained that due 12 to the size of the footprint it would be necessary to extend the underground parking beyond the 13 building limits and reviewed with the Commission. He noted that the top of the parking area 14 would be a green-space area adding that no one would ever know that there is underground 15 parking in that area. He stated that the site is currently paved and it is their belief that they would 16 be helping the stormwater runoff by adding green space in this area. He reviewed the materials 17 for the proposed building noting that it would be primarily brick with stucco or stone accents, 18 similar to a current project of theirs on Central Avenue in Minneapolis. He stated that the units 19 would range from 1000 square feet to 1,400 square feet in size and assured the Commission that 20 it would not be age restrictive adding that it is their belief that the majority of individuals 21 interested would fit the empty nester profile. 22 23 Chair Stromgren noted that there is an issue with the shape of the site stating that it appears that 24 they would need a variance on three sides because the R-4 setbacks would be more restrictive. 25 26 Mr.Harass assured the Commission that they would be ok from the Lowry side adding that he 27 knows they are five feet closer to the line on the Kenzie side. He stated that if this is a major 28 issue they would be willing to consider making an adjustment. He explained that they felt that 29 due to the heavy commercial nature of Kenzie Terrace that it would be appropriate to bring the 30 building up 25-feet. He stated that it is his belief that they are ok with the property that abuts the 31 residential area adding that they are looking to apply for one or two setback variance requests. 32 33 Chair Stromgren clarified that in an R-4 Zoning District the rear yard requirement is 40 feet and 34 that code defines it as opposite of the main entry. 35 36 Mr. Harriss acknowledged his concern noting that these are all issues that they plan to discuss 37 with Staff. He assured the Commission that they would work closely with Staff to make the 38 necessary adjustments to the proposal. 39 ulations for 33-unit building they would need at 40 Chair Stromgren stated that based on his calc 41 least 70,000 square feet to compensate for the density. 42 43 Mr. Harriss agreed that the square footage would have to be reviewed further and assured that 44 Commission that this would be reviewed further with staff prior to the next hearing. 45