Receive Revised Architectural Renderings for Seasons of Ramsey

The Seasons of Ramsey Limited Partnership, the Developer for Seasons of Ramsey, has requested amendments to the exterior materials to the approved site plan. The City Council approved the site plan in February, 2013. The project is a 50-unit rental townhome development located at the north east intersection of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Town Center Drive in the Town Center Gardens development (adjacent to The COR). The project is currently under construction.

The revised architectural elevations are attached for review. Generally speaking, the amendments are as follows:

1. Change areas of steel shake material to steel vertical siding
2. Change color pallet
3. Brick threshold remains same, but use of alternative brick material.

As noted above, the Developer is proposing to change the construction method for the brick threshold. The Developer is requesting the use of Nichiha Board, a fiber-cement panel. The Developer has supplied photo examples of use of Nichiha Board for the brick material. It should be noted that the City has allowed various forms of alternatives for brick construction. This would be the first time this material has been used specific to the application of The COR Design Framework.

Overall, it appears that an appropriate mix of materials is still maintained; the majority material is not traditional siding. There are no structural changes from the approved site plan, just the indicated exterior material list. Staff is noting this change to the City Council to ensure proper tracking of approvals.

No notification is required.

Alternatives

Alternative #1 - Approve amended exterior material list as approved. Overall, this proposed change appears to be acceptable. The Developer is proposing to utilize a mix of materials and colors and utilize quality materials. The most notable change is the use of fiber-cement Nichiha Board panels for the brick material.

Alternative #2 - Approve the amended exterior material list with changes. The only consideration for change Staff would suggest requesting a change would be the brick material. The City could allow the Developer to reduce the amount of brick area and require the use of face brick. Face brick is a thin brick panel often set into a concrete panel. For example, the municipal parking ramp utilizes face brick panels.

Alternative #3 - Deny the request. The Developer would be required to construct the buildings are originally approved. It is noted that a majority of the requested changes are minor in scope. Staff would not recommend a full denial of the request.

Staff recommends approval of Alternative #1 above, which are changes as proposed by the Developer.

All costs associated with reviewing the request are the responsibility of the Developer.

Motion to approve the amended exterior material list as presented.