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September 14, 2021 Page 8 This drive then also provides access to the underground parking garage. The garage is shown to provide 66 parking spaces. This is a ratio of 1.66 spaces per unit. As a ratio per bedroom, the count is 1.17 per bedroom. Because the site plan will result in the closure of an existing curb cut to Stinson Parkway, there could be as many as 12 on-street spaces along Stinson that would accommodate overflow visitors. The applicants will have to work with the Minneapolis Park Board to address changes to the Parkway parking designs. From the rear shared private road, access is available to the northerly employee parking area, as well as the loading location for food service deliveries. The applicants have indicated that trash handling equipment will be located in the underground garage, with access to the equipment a part of the design of the garage entry. As discussed above, the applicants indicate in their updated submission that they expect to charge a separate fee for access to the covered parking. This raises some concern, given that the reduced overall off-street parking supply is dependent upon the ability make full use of all available parking. Where these spaces are optional for the tenants, vehicles may end up overflowing the available “free” surface parking onto the adjoining streets. This result would raise some significant conflicts, especially during winter conditions. Ensuring that the covered parking is fully utilized is an issue to address as a part of the Preliminary Plan review. Access-related issues should be subject to further comment and recommendation by the City Engineer. Setbacks. The PUD zoning district does not impose specific structure setback requirements. For reference purposes however, the setback requirements imposed in the City’s R-4 Multiple Family Residential zoning district (commonly applied to high density residential housing projects) were recently changed with the updates to the R-4 District just adopted. The original standards were 30 feet from the street, 15 feet from the interior side boundary, and 40 feet to the rear. These have been changed to 20 feet from the street, but increasing the side yard to 50% of the building height (in this case, requiring up to 25 feet). The applicant prepared these plans under the original ordinance, and meets those standards. As it stands, the city would apply the ordinance in effect at the time of the application. Building Height. As noted above, the structure consists of an at-grade parking garage and three floors above the garage. The building is four stories in height (approximately 50 feet to the top of the parapet). The revised R-4 District increases building height to 50 feet. The garage exposure toward Stinson and Kenzie is one-half story, as the site grading is banked up toward the building to reduce the impression of the building height. A series of windows are built into the exposed garage wall, mirroring the window placement of the windows and balcony doors above. The design does an effective job of minimizing the garage wall exposure toward the street. Emergency Vehicle Access. As a part of the review process, emergency services (fire and police) have reviewed the project in concept and believe that proper emergency vehicle access and hydrant availability is provided. Building plans will be evaluated when submitted. In 40