Adopt Resolution #19-140 Approving Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement for The Sapphire (Project No. 18-183); Case of PSD, LLC

The purpose of this case is to review a Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement for a proposed single lot 118 unit apartment building that consists of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. The proposal includes additional community space for its residents. Overall, architecture is in compliance with underlying regulations, with amendments outlined in the Staff review.

Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners via Standard US Mail within 700 feet of the Subject Property, as listed in the Anoka County records, of the Public Hearing that was held at the April Planning Commission. The Public Hearing Notice was published in the City's official newsletter, the Anoka County Union Herald. 

Notification for this proposed City Council action is not required and has not been provided.

Observations: Generally speaking, with the updated elevations Staff is supportive of the project with amendments outlined in the Staff Review Letter and upon direction from the Planning Commission.

Staff has received updated plans regarding the detached garage units which are proposed to be adjacent to 145th Avenue NW.  While the City allowed detached garages as part of the Parkview East project, those garages will eventually be screened from public right of way when the parcel directly south of Parkview East develops. The detached garages proposed as part of The Sapphire would be directly adjacent to a public right of way and as a result not screened by future development. Per Planning Commission recommendation, Staff has been working on alternatives to offset the visual impacts of placing the rear of detached garages up against the public road and sidewalk. These shall be contingencies of approval. The Developer desires for Council's concurrence before completing revised plans.

• Developer to construct pedestrian seating walls and provide additional landscape screening along 145th similar to but smaller than those along Sunwood Drive at Ramsey boulevard.
• Developer to modify sidewalk and planting plan along 145th Avenue to match recent planning of Center Street.

Staff noted that individual air conditioning units on the architectural floor plan and recommends amending HVAC plans to include better screening of air conditioning units. Previously, Staff had recommended a more comprehensive HVAC approach, but was resisted by the Developer. The Planning Commission was willing to compromise if the Developer would significantly improve the screening of the air conditioning units.

• The Applicant will increase screening of the currently proposed A/C units through additional wall articulation and angle of air conditioning units and have the air conditioning unit screens painted to match the facade color so that they better blend in with the building.

Staff also noted that with the most recent site plan submittal that the Dog Park area had been reduced to a width of 23'4" and that nine (9) parking stalls had been added. Staff recommends removal of the nine (9) parking stalls in favor of widening the dog park by twenty (20) feet and in doing so reducing the amount of impervious surface. The project would still meet the parking minimums if the nine spots were eliminated as currently the project is almost at the maximum of parking spots allowed (Minimum 1 parking spot per unit, Maximum 2 parking spots per unit). This is an advisory comment at this point.

Lastly, Staff is working on the logistics of the final design of Center Street, which may have some impacts on this private site plan.  The Developer shall be responsible for coordinating design of this building to coincide with current designwork being completed along Center Street. This location will be a focal point of future city events and as such the architectural treatment adjacent to Center Street is important.

Alternatives:

Alternative 1: Recommend Approval of the Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement for The Sapphire, contingent upon compliance with Staff Review. Staff is supportive of Alternative 1.

Alternative 2: Table the request for Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement for additional information. Staff is not supportive of Alternative 2.

Alternative 3: Recommend denial of the Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement for The Sapphire. The project appears to adhere to a majority of the COR Design Guidelines and overall would be a benefit to the community. Staff is not supportive of Alternative 3.

Please note that this case was tabled at the April Planning Commission and deferred to the June Planning Commission. The 60 Day Rule, plus the one allowed 60 Day Extension will expire on July 11. Unless the Developer agrees to an additional extension, the City Council will need to take action at this meeting, or the project will automatically be approved per Minnesota Statutes Section 15.99.

All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Applicant/Developer. Currently, there are no requests for financial assistance. The Developer is responsible for standard Development Fees.

Staff recommends adoption of Resolution #19-140 approval of the Final Plat, Site Plan, and Development Agreement of The Sapphire contingent upon compliance with Staff review comments.

Motion to adopt Resolution #19-140 approving the final plat, site plan, and development agreement of The Sapphire contingent upon compliance with Staff review comments.