Approve Final Home Designs for Vistas at North Commons; Case of Morning Sun Homes

The purpose of this case is to approve final model home designs for Vistas at North Commons.

Architectural review and approval was a contingency of plat approval to finalize architectural design. No homes have yet been constructed within this plat. This is a step in plat approval, versus Building Permit Review. With that in mind, this is not an appeal process as was the case with recent requests. This step is crucial to provide clarity for Staff to be able to approve Building Permit in a timely fashion in a manner consistent with Planning Commission and City Council approval.

The Planning Commission is reviewing this case at their August 3, 2017 Regular Meeting. Minutes are not available at time of publishing this agenda. Staff will give a verbal update at the meeting.

The Design Framework for The COR calls for '4-sided architecture' and equal treatment of all facades facing a public roadway. During review of this Plat, it was discussed that the rear facade should look less like a rear facade, and more like a front facade, due to its orientation and close proximity to Bunker Lake Boulevard.

It should be noted that the original development plan for this parcel has changed significantly (originally planned for row-style townhomes). With a change to a more traditional single-family model, it should be expected that the rear facade may not have as much equal treatment as the front facade. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission authorize some degree of flexibility for this development. The same played out with COR Three North Commons by Purmort homes immediately west of this project.

While Staff believes additional architectural elements could be added to enhance the degree of equal treatment and improve the facade facing Bunker Lake Boulevard, the Design Framework may not give as much leverage as needed to push this design further.

All costs associated with processing this Application are the responsibility of the Developer.

Staff recommends authorizing the attached models.

Motion to authorize the attached model homes for Vistas at North Commons.