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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 28 , 2017 Page 8 1 Mr. Brady Halverson, BKV Group, reviewed the urban design principles of the project. There 2 will be agreements for easements and the hope is that the entire neighborhood uses the park and 3 greenspace areas. Much of the storm water will be put in underground tanks rather than on the 4 surface allowing for more greenspace. The grading has been modified per staff’s request. Trees 5 will be planted throughout along with lighting. There will be walkup units with front porches 6 everywhere possible. The landscape plan can be conceptually addressed but it is too early to 7 provide a detailed landscape plan. Mr. Halverson showed a number of photographs and drawings 8 with the plans for lighting and plantings. 9 10 Mr. Jerry Board, Civil Engineer on the project, stated this project has many challenges as there 11 are over 17 feet of grade change throughout the site. He reviewed storm water, grading and 12 retaining walls plans. There is a mixt ure of treatment of storm water. 13 14 A member of the architectural team reviewed the elevations for the buildings. He provided 15 drawings of the various buildings. 16 17 Mr. Mike Critch, BKV Group, stated they are a leader in providing housing in the Twin Cities. 18 They were involved in the Apache Plaza site redevelopment and others. Their goal is to provide 19 the highest quality project possible and strength in neighborhoods. He went into greater detail on 20 the items outlined in the staff report. He addressed the higher density issues. The increased 21 density would not be noticeable on the street level. The highest building matches the number of 22 stories of the Kenzington Terrace building. Mr. Critch stated the building heights and locations 23 are located to provide access to light and air as well as street widths providing a boulevard. The 24 grading plan has been altered given staff’s concerns with adjustments made to retaining walls. 25 He addressed the traffic congestion concerns. He stated the addition of this development would 26 not cause more traffic congestion. He stated decreasing the density will not impact the footprints. 27 They are proposing unit sizes that meet market demands. Smaller units create greater 28 affordability. The site plan uses are compatible and provides for different income levels. 29 30 Ms. Tracy Thomas, stated the previous speakers addressed the concerns expressed by staff. She 31 was shocked to see staff’s recommendation to deny the Comprehensive Plan amendment without 32 the opportunity for the developer to present the development to the Commission and the public 33 this evening. There was no discussion or request for information from staff on the density to the 34 developer. The project started out at over 1100 units. Modifications were made for 54 units per 35 acre. She quoted concerns on the Comprehensive Plan. The current Comprehensive Plan is 36 outdated. Renter preferences have changed over the last 10 years. The Zoning Codes are 37 outdated and do not reflect the current market conditions. This project would bring the local 38 bus inesses many more customers, most within walking distance. Ms. Thomas reviewed the 39 benefits of higher density. The MET Council supports higher density. Ms. Thomas stated the 40 density at 48 units per acre carefully balances the diverse interests. This is critical to being able 41 to provide affordable housing. There is a connection between affordability and housing density. 42 There will be 110 units of affordable housing available. 43 44 Mr. Alan Arthur, AON , stated they manage 2 ,700 affordable housing units within the Twin 45 Cities. They have done many properties with more than 50 units per acre or more. The City’s 46 8