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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-20 Planning Commission Minutes Special Meeting September 22,2020 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Franceschelli, Lehto, Tesky, Windschitl Members Absent: None Also Present: Tony Wippler, Planning Manager; Lauren Siebenaler, Communications Specialist 2. Public Hearings—Chair Rotty opened the public hearings a. Preliminary and Final Plat, Site Plan and Variances—Vermillion Topside Apartments The applicant is Michial Mularoni of Mularoni and Company and the property owner is Anthony Verch of HC Revolutions, Inc. The property is located at 20725 Cascade Drive and was platted as an outlot for future development with the Tamarack Ridge 4th Addition in 2005. The property will remain a single parcel of land and would be legally described as Lot 1,Block 1 Vermillion Topside Apartments. The applicant is proposing to construct a 52-unit apartment building. The property is zoned R-5 and this is a permitted use. The building would be position towards the southwest corner of the lot with access from Cascade Drive. An above ground parking lot would be on the east side of the building adjacent to the existing storm water pond. Underground parking will also be utilized. A total of 104 parking stalls are shown, including 40 stalls above ground and 64 stalls underground. The underground parking will be accessed from the north side of the building. In addition, a stairwell to the underground parking will be provided near the northeast corner of the parking lot. A total of 130 off-street parking stalls are required based on the number of apartment units proposed (2.5 stalls per apartment). The applicant is requesting a variance from the requirement. Required setback in the R-5 district are: Front yard: 25 feet Side yard: 10 feet Rear yard: 10 feet The setbacks proposed are: - Front setback(Cascade Drive): 10 feet and will require a variance. - Side setback(from west property line): building will be setback 10 feet from the west side lot line,however an exiting stairway located towards the southwest corner of the building will be setback 6 feet from this lot line. This will require a variance. - Side setback(from east property line): the apartment building far exceeds the minimum setback from this property line. The stairwell structure is proposed to be setback 3 feet 6 inches from the eastern property line. This will require a variance. - Rear setback(adjacent to County Road 66): 58 feet 6 inches. The total building coverage is 30%which is the maximum allowed. The height of the building is 56 feet 6 inches to the top of a parapet on the elevator and club room. The R- 5 zone allows for a maximum height of 45 feet. This will require a variance. Planning Commission Minutes September 22,2020 Page 2 The variances requested are: 1. From the off-street parking standards. A total of 130 off-street parking stalls would be required. The applicant is proposing 104 stalls; a reduction of 26 spaces. 2. Front yard setback. The building is proposed to be setback 10 feet from the front property line adjacent to Cascade Drive. The minimum front yard setback is 25 feet. 3. Side yard setback (from western property line). An exiting stairway is proposed to have a setback of 6 feet from the western side lot line. The minimum is 10 feet. 4. Side yard setback (from eastern property line). The stairwell structure for the underground parking is proposed to be setback 3 feet 6 inches from the eastern side lot line. The minimum is 10 feet. 5. From the maximum height requirement in the R-5 zone. The maximum height allowed is 45 feet. The building would have a height of 56 feet 6 inches. The nine criteria to approve the variances have been met. Mr. Mularoni stated they took comments from the previous meeting and were able to get to 2 parking stalls per unit by moving the ramp to the east side to meet the grade elevation and the slope requirements. They set the building back off the river and oriented the building to look east and west. They could move the building off Cascade Drive further, but it would make the ramp steeper. He felt the variance for the parking is reasonable. The building would meet the code with the rooftop area. Because of distance,they needed an additional stairwell from the ramp. The variance for the stairway on the west side is because of grades. Residents had a few comments and questions. The commission has reviewed the lot. It is zoned high density. There is already a rental complex with parking on the street in that area. Staff noted there are townhomes to the south and east. Commissioner Franceschelli had no issue with the east and west side setbacks and was comfortable with the parking spaces. Commissioner Tesky noted the plan is better than last time. They are covering every square inch to meet the maximum size allowed. She agreed with the side yard variances. The parking is better. She understood the rooftop is an amenity for the residents. It looks better overall. Commissioner Windschitl asked if we are losing parking spaces by the outdoor walkway to the east. Mr. Mularoni stated no,that is not a parking area. Commissioner Windschitl asked if there was an option to move the north entrance to the underground parking to the south. Mr. Mularoni stated they have a longer playing field this way and it allowed them to go from 88 parking stalls to 104. Commissioner Lehto stated it looks good. They packed everything into the site and she appreciated their hard work. It looks much better. Mr. Mularoni appreciated the commission pushing for a better project. Chair Rotty stated this is a better project. It meets the zoning for R-5. The maximum lot coverage is at 30%. We asked for more parking. The variances were the biggest issue. Planning Commission Minutes September 22,2020 Page 3 Parking is up to 2 stalls per unit, so residents will not have to park on the street. He is willing to live with the setback off Cascade to make the ramp less steep. He supports the project. Residents asked if the parking spaces are reserved per unit. Mr. Mularoni stated all above ground parking is for visitors and residents. The underground will have designated parking. A resident asked if environmental studies have been done. Mr. Mularoni stated a wetland delineation would have been done before this project. They did soil borings and they came back as expected. Commissioner Tesky asked if there was a trash enclosure. Mr. Mularoni stated yes,there is a trash/recycling room within the building. They will have two extra dumpsters. MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Tesky to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Mularoni and Mr. Verch accepted all the contingencies. MOTION by Windschitl, second by Franceschelli to recommend approval of the Vermillion Topside Apartments preliminary and final plat contingent upon the following and forward that recommendation to the City Council: 1. The satisfaction of all engineering comments related to the construction plans for grading and utilities. 2. A Development Contract between the applicant and the City of Farmington shall be executed and security fees and costs shall be paid. Submission of all other documents required under the Development Contract shall be required. 3. The vacation of the existing drainage and utility easements on the site that were dedicated as part of the Tamarack Ridge 4th Addition. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Tesky, second by Lehto to approve the site plan and variances for the Vermillion Topside Apartments contingent upon the following: 1. Submission to and approval by the Building Inspections Department and Fire Department of all permits related to building plans and fire suppression systems. 2. Submission and approval of a sign permit for any exterior signage that may be placed on site. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 3. Adjourn MOTION by Windschitl, second by Franceschelli to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. APIF MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, a&kKa MIALer Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant