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Vice -Mayor Cook- Kallio asked how much of the building would be visible from the backyards of <br /> those homes. Mr. Caldwell explained that both options share the exact same footprint and <br /> similar roof planes which can be varied in massing and are residential in character. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan asked if moving the development back away from the homes was <br /> considered. Mr. Caldwell said that between 30 and 50 site diagrams were devised to include <br /> different ways of subdividing the land, building layout and overall configuration. He said that <br /> option was studied and that it ultimately created a larger footprint impression with one <br /> continuous mass. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan suggested that if the parking were moved towards the neighboring <br /> homes, it would allow the structures to be moved to the western most end of the envelope and <br /> away from homes. Mr. Caldwell referred to the site diagram for the purpose of studying site <br /> coverage. He said that the difference between making communities rather than blocks of <br /> buildings is the ability to use the site, cover it, and break things down to create interspersed <br /> areas of courtyards, open spaces, and best land use practices. He acknowledged that the <br /> individual pieces could be moved around in infinite combinations but said he didn't believe that <br /> pushing everything into one place lent itself to the type of senior community desired here. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan said the goal is to balance that type of community with offsite impacts <br /> and that the further back the buildings are, the lesser the impacts. <br /> Councilmember Thorne requested a definition of "double loading." Mr. Caldwell explained that it <br /> refers to a corridor design with units on both sides, rather than the current scheme with exterior <br /> entry doors. <br /> Councilmember Thorne asked if the units would have balconies or porches. Mr. Caldwell shared <br /> several images, noting opportunities for balconies, patios, and other amenities that would allow <br /> residents to take advantage of the site and exterior space. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said she was under the impression that previous studies had <br /> focused on first -floor entry garden style design and were actually distinctly against a double <br /> loaded design. Mr. Bocian explained that it may be an option with a lesser density but that the <br /> density required for this number of units on this site would not support a garden style design. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said the design was significantly more institutionalized than what <br /> she had expected. <br /> Councilmember Thorne concurred and said the staff report was fairly misleading in that respect. <br /> Mr. Caldwell said he has been involved in creating senior communities for the better part of 30 <br /> years, none of which were institutionalized. He said the connotation would go against everything <br /> he believes in terms of what community means. <br /> Councilmember McGovern confirmed with Mr. Caldwell that parking allocation per unit is .5:1. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said the Sienna Development report recommended an allocation of <br /> .75 and asked how it was decided to decrease that. Mr. Caldwell replied that .5:1 is a fairly <br /> standard ratio in senior communities and standards have recently dropped to .4:1. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 16 December 1, 2009 <br />