PL PACKET 12202011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 15, 2011 Page 2 1 Mr. Greg Bronk, President of LaNel Financial Group, appeared before the Planning Commission 2 and reviewed the proposed 72 unit assisted living facility adjacent to the Autumn Woods 3 apartment complex. He advised that they developed the Autumn Woods apartments in 1988 to 4 include 50 units designated as 50 and over and they have heard from a number of residents 5 throughout the community that they would like to see this type of facility. He stated that the 6 demographics of St. Anthony continue to show an aging population and those seniors want to 7 remain in St. Anthony and the proposed facility will be a natural progression to allow residents 8 to remain in St. Anthony and be a part of the Autumn Woods community. He pointed out this 9 development will create approximately 35 full-time jobs as well as 30-35 construction jobs. 10 11 Mr. Jay Nelson, Jay P. Nelson Architect, appeared before the Planning Commission and 12 presented several drawings of the proposed facility and explained that the ends of the building 13 are stepped down in size which will help reduce the scale of the building and will include brick 14 and siding materials. He stated they have asked Hennepin County to allow parking along Kenzie 15 Terrace and if allowed, this will provide an additional 13 parking spaces. He advised that 16 because of the limitations of the site, the garage ramping will take place inside the building in the 17 covered space to make it safer and aid in drainage. He discussed the drainage on the site which 18 will include rain water gardens and a recessed underground water storage area along Kenzie to 19 receive water and control run-off. He presented interior courtside pictures which show porches 20 around Kenzie and in the front entry. He noted that they are requesting that the porches be 6' 21 instead of 5'. He pointed out the proposed setbacks depicted in the drawings which meet City 22 Code. He stated that the lower level will include parking, a maintenance area, trash and utility 23 spaces, storage,as well as a community room, fitness area, and spa. He indicated that level one 24 will include a parlor area with library, a generous community dining area, an activities area in the 25 corner including an outdoor porch, a chapel, movie theater, as well as several care suites for 26 those with higher care needs. He advised that the upper floors will include studio suites,one- 27 and two-bedroom units with a laundry and sitting area on each floor. He noted that level four is 28 where the building steps down so the units on the end are deleted. He discussed the civil 29 engineering drawings and plans for controlling water run-off and also discussed the landscape 30 plan which will screen the area from the adjacent neighbors. He added there will be a 6' fence 31 along the property line at existing grade elevations which will then come out 5' for the retaining 32 walls with base plantings along and above the wall. 33 34 Commissioner Cincoski indicated that the south side of the property butts up to an existing R-1 35 residential area and contains a lot of bituminous material. He asked whether consideration was 36 given to the property behind this area to ensure there is no water run-off to these properties. He 37 also requested information regarding the type of fencing to be used. 38 39 Mr. Nelson assured the Planning Commission that water run-off to adjacent properties is not 40 going to happen. He explained this area includes a pipe that collects water from the roof and 41 diverts it to an underground storage area. He added that the idea is to have roof water running 42 directionally into the storage area from the gutters and downspouts. He explained that a 6' vinyl 43 privacy fence is proposed and will be either brown or gray. 44 45 Commissioner Crone requested information regarding the fire lane and its proposed use as a 46 walking path.