PC Minutes 08.08.24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 8, 2024 PC Minutes Page 2 The property is part of an approved preliminary plat called Frenchman Place, which had previously planned for the site to be occupied by two relatively large commercial office buildings. The applicant presented a sketch plan for an apartment concept on the site in 2022, which was reviewed by the EDA, Planning Commission, and City Council. The sketch plan showed access on both Rosemary Way and the private drive to the south, with long linear drive aisles and covered parking consisting entirely of detached garage stalls. Since the gas line easement bisects the property, the apartment had been shown entirely on the west side of the easement, with the development potential of the east side remaining unknown with limited upland. The commissioners and councilmembers who reviewed the sketch plan were generally concerned with site design, building design, and traffic circulation through the parking lot. The new site plan was designed to address these comments. The building is oriented facing Rosemary Way with a large attached garage building, fewer detached garage stalls, and the proposal of using the eastern portion of the property as a public park. The plan shows an outdoor gathering area as an onsite amenity for apartment residents. The applicant is proposing to dedicate 1.8 acres of buildable land for a public park to meet their park dedication requirements. In order to provide parking access for the park, staff is recommending that the city remove the no parking designation on the south side of Rosemary Way. The park design was presented to the Parks Commission at their June 26, 2024 meeting, and included a loop of 8-foot-wide asphalt trails. The site’s new layout was intended to address concerns that commissioners had with traffic circulation and speeding. The plan includes some wetland impact, which have been reviewed and approved by the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). The landscape plan shows landscaping on the apartment property and the public park, and generally meets ordinance standards, but the applicant will need to revise plans to meet the required number of tree type s. The architecture plan includes steel siding with accents of cast stone along the bottom at the main entrance and building corners. The applicant has attempted to meet the city’s multifamily design guidelines, but staff will continue to work with them and recommend revisions to the building elevations to further comply. Revisions are expected to include having the garage roof match the roof of the building, including architectural features to break up the façade, and have the colors of the garage doors blend in with the building colors. In general, staff is of the opinion that the applicant has put together a plan that will meet ordinance standards, but staff will continue to work with the applicant on revisions to the plans. Staff recommended approval of all applications for Summit Management. Commissioner Arcand asked about the difference between the Planning Commission approving all of the applications together versus separately. Juba responded that the Planning Commission could add conditions to specific resolutions if they were separated. Commissioner Arcand asked about the Parks Commission’s recommendation, and if the city could construct a parking lot at a later date. Juba responded that the Parks Commission did discuss parking, but until the long-term plan for the park is determined, they were comfortable with allowing street parking. Commissioner Petty asked if there was a sidewalk on Rosemary Way now, Juba said yes.