07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Given the type of housing proposed, revisions to the proposal, the applicant's desire to retain the existing home on -site (and the desirability of retaining a historic residence on- site), and the direction to construct parking for the existing home, staff recommends that the Commission support rezoning the site to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) District to allow flexibility in development standards. Fencing During the Work Session, it was suggested that a low hedge or decorative picket style fence be used for the units along St. John Street to create a more inviting front facade and that a masonry wall be used for the rear units to provide sound attenuation and a buffer for the rear neighbors on St. Mary Street. Low hedges and picket style fencing are not proposed; however, staff has added a condition of approval that 42- inch -tall picket style fencing be used for units 7 -10. A 6- or 7 -foot tall precast concrete wall is proposed along the project site's rear property line. The applicant has stated to staff that all parties that share the project site's rear property line will continue to discuss and come to an agreement on the final height of the wall prior to its installation. Parking Standards Single- family homes and separately owned townhomes are required to have two parking spaces per unit, with at least one of the spaces covered in a garage or carport. The applicant is providing two covered spaces per townhouse unit via two -car garages. The City encourages, and often requires, on -site guest parking for single - family or townhome projects when there isn't on- street parking provided within the project. During the Work Session, one of the residents of the townhomes on the north side of St. John Street requested that additional parking be provided on -site. The Commission recognized the constraints of the site given the location, layout, density, etc. and ultimately directed the applicant to provide at least two on -site guest parking spaces in addition to meeting the PMC minimum parking requirements for the townhomes. The applicant has revised the plans to include two on -site guest parking spaces and has provided the plan to the concerned neighbor prior to this Planning Commission hearing. Furthermore, at least two additional on- street parking spaces will be provided on the south side of St. John Street with the elimination of two of the three existing curb cuts along the project's frontage. Please refer to the Analysis section of this report for a more detailed discussion on parking. Architecture and Design Elevation drawings were not provided at the Work Session; however, a streetscape rendering of the project site and the architectural concept were provided to the Planning Commission for feedback. The streetscape image illustrated the townhouse units facing St. John Street and included architectural features found in other existing buildings along St. John Street and Downtown. Based on the rendering at the Work Session, the Commission was supportive of the design. The architecture remains the same; however, this will be the first time that the Commission will have an opportunity to review the architecture of the southern (rear) units. The southern units have garages on the front elevation; however, the units would not be highly visible from the public right -of -way due to the location of the proposed front units on St. John Street. Please refer to the Analysis section for a more detailed discussion on the design and architecture of the buildings. P16 -1201, PUD -120, & TRACT 8326 Planning Commission 7 of 32