CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION 01212020

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however, total quantities are not indicated. The Zoning Ordinance requires 1 space per 3 units for “retirement homes”, which would mandate at least 42 spaces. Given the mixed nature of the units (independent living, assisted living, and memory care, a ratio of approximately one space per unit should be preserved. o Access. The proposed plan utilized the existing access point to Stinson, and the referenced shared access to Kenzie Terrace. The Stinson Parkway access would be used for access to the main parking area and entrance, as well as to the parking garage on the south end of the building. Given the Minneapolis Park Board’s concerns over use and traffic on the Parkway, consideration should be given to providing garage access from the internal private street shared with Urban Grove, rather than the front parking area from Stinson. • Other Considerations o The applicants have designed the surface parking in the front of the building to accommodate a band of landscaping along the Stinson Parkway trail, as well as additional front yard green planting area. The setback of the building from Stinson accommodates this space. Staff’s recommendations include avoidance on long “dead-end” drive/parking areas where visitors would have difficulty turning around when the parking is full. o The access and “dead-end” traffic pattern would typically also apply to emergency vehicle access in these areas as well. An apparent emergency vehicle egress lane is shown to the north of the front drive. The City’s public safety staff will comment on these issues further as the project goes forward. o Architecturally, the building is proposed to be a 4-story structure with a flat roof. The concept plans show a series of articulated roof line parapet extensions. The building wall is a combination of recessed and forward extended sections, with balconies either recessed or extending outward, depending on the building wall section. Materials are not specified at this stage. For processing and next-step purposes, the applicants would seek a “Preliminary Plan” PUD request, with more fully detailed plans and support materials. To advance to that stage, the Planning Commission and City Council can use this Concept discussion to identify preferences in project density, location, site planning, and architecture, along with any other relevant issues, such as affordability and sustainability, that would be important for the applicants to incorporate into their next-stage plans. As noted previously, clarity as to financial considerations should also be included as a part of the discussion. It will be important that planning and zoning aspects of the City’s review do not advance too far beyond the expectations for financial assistance.