2023.02.06 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Oneka Commons Sketch Plan 2023 Downtown Design Guidelines should be met by the development. The intent of the guidelines is to provide a baseline for quality in order to revitalize and expand the downtown business district. The downtown plan shows a mixed-use development blending commercial/office and multi- family housing uses in a master plan development. Some of the guidelines for downtown Hugo include: • Blending of commercial and residential development as a master planned mixed-use development. • Creating a sense of arrival in downtown by placement of gateway elements. • Enhancement of the public realm to maintain a pedestrian-oriented downtown. • High quality architecture, with specific emphases on French architectural elements, traditional downtown design and/or relating to existing buildings in the downtown. The proposed sketch plan vision for a mixed-use development that blends the uses together. There is an effort to integrate the residential uses together with common spaces and amenities, such as walking loops, gazebo, and gathering areas. The main entrances and focal point at the southwest corner of Highway 61 and Frenchman Road/CSAH 8 starts to form gateway elements with landscaping, building architectural features, and art. The plan shows pedestrian oriented elements with access to public features, such as Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. Architecture and Building Orientation The applicant has indicated that the design of the buildings in this area would be consistent with the downtown design guidelines. They have stated the architectural theme would be required for all buildings in the proposed sketch plan. The applicant did not provide a narrative on how the buildings would meet the design guidelines or what materials would be use on the buildings. Although it seems the buildings will be designed to be cohesive, the developer shall provide a design palette, including elevations, colors, and materials for the buildings, to ensure they are compatible and meet the guidelines. Commercial Buildings All commercial buildings are required to meet the Commercial and Industrial Design Guidelines and if the downtown area, the Downtown Design Guidelines. The applicant has shown a general building rendering examples for the commercial uses. All of the buildings within the project shall have four sided architecture, with equal treatment and visual qualities, and shall meet the requirements of the guidelines. The buildings seem to relate mostly to the traditional main street or Prairie style architecture encouraged in the downtown design guidelines. Prairie style architecture includes, hipped roofs, low and spreading with deep overhangs and eaves. With modifications to the elevations and using quality materials, it seems like the buildings could meet the intent of the design guidelines. The commercial buildings are oriented towards the streets as encouraged in the design guidelines. The commercial areas have pedestrian gathering spaces with connections to Hardwood Creek Regional Trail.