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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - department report CITY OF AMES DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OAKWOOD DEVELOPMENT PREPARED: MAY 13, 1977 MEETING DATE: MAY 18, 1977 The Oakwood Development proposal is one which has been conceived as an over- all integrated plan. It consists of the racquet club and its related activi- ties , three multiple family structures containing a total of 330 dwelling units, and a conventional 55-lot subdivision. This is in keeping with past comments on the development scheme. The three proposals are treated individually in this report due to the re- quirements of the ordinances and processing procedures . However, in the individual discussions, it must be kept in mind each part is a portion of the overall development plan. As stated later in this report, detail description and philosophy on the overall proposal will be related to the Commission by Mr. Cochrane's de- signers and representatives. The Planning Office recommends that the Commission approve the requested submittals . CITY OF AMES DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PREPARED: MAY 13, 1977 MEETING DATE: MAY 18, 1977 PRELIMINARY PLAT: Oakwood First Addition, S 77-8. OWNER: Ev Cochrane and Associations, Inc. ENGINEER: Anderson Engineering Company. LOCATION: One-fourth mile west of Elwood Drive on the north side of Oakwood Road. SIZE AND NUMBER OF LOTS: R-1 Area - 15 lots with a minimum size of 10,000 square feet. R-2 Area - 40 lots with a minimum size of 6,000 square feet. ZONING AND LAND USE: Subject Property: R-1 and R-2, Agricultural . North: A-1, Vacant. South: County Zoning, Agricultural . East : R-3, Agricultural (proposed multiple family development) West : County Zoning, Residential . NOTIFICATION: Standard notification procedure has been followed. FINDINGS: Proposed Plat: The preliminary plat conforms to the staff findings regarding the proposed plat. Land Use Policy Plan: The Land Use Policy Plan Map indicates this area as being suitable for low density development. Topography and Drainage: The site drains generally to the east and storm water runoff will be handled through the development to the east. The developers will have to determine the location for farm tile, since that drainage system drains the residential area to the west. Public Utilities: Both water and sanitary sewer service will be available. Water service is presently available from Oakwood Road. The sanitary sewer line will be constructed this summer. Transportation System: The arterial streets serving the subdivision will accommodate the additional traffic resulting from this development. Cochrane Boulevard will serve not only this subdivision, but the multiple family development to the east. The boulevard will end at approximately the intersection with Michelle Drive. The street will continue and will serve the Gateway Center land to the north. 2 School Population: It is not anticipated that the subdivision will produce a large number of school age children, which would effect the school system. Zoning: Once the plat is approved, the zoning district line between the R-1 and R-2 areas can be adjusted so as to follow the centerline of Marjo Drive and run between Lots 15 and 16. Vehicular Access : Access will be prohibited from Lots 4, 25, 26, 27 , 53, 54, and 55 to Oakwood Road and from Lots 46, 49, and 55 from Cochrane Boulevard. Open Space: Lot B is a 60-foot open space that will not only separate this subdivision from the area to the west, but will also serve as a general open space connector for the entire area. When the area to the north is developed, it is anticipated that this open space connector will be extended into that area. That will eventually provide access to the City-owned land adjoining Worle Creek. RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Division of the Community Development Depart- ment recommends this preliminary plat be approved contingent upon meet- ing engineering and technical requirements . dw CITY OF AMES DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OAKWOOD APARTMENTS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PREPARED: MAY 13, 1977 MEETING DATE: MAY 18, 1977 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN "The Oakwood Apartments is a proposed 330-unit development which will be west of and adjacent to the proposed racquet club at the intersection of Elwood Drive and Oakwood Road. These apartments have been conceived to re- late visually with the racquet club and will be built of similar materials . The buildings are oriented and designed for maximum energy conservation with the majority of the living spaces being oriented south and the buildings being progressively taller on the north to prevent winter shading and to pro- vide a maximum wind break on the north. The site plan is developed to pro- vide a maximum of open space and to respect existing drainage systems. " from the developer-submitted statement of intent PLAN IN DETAIL Chapter 38 (Zoning) of the Ames Municipal Code, Section 1052 - Planned residential units authorized; conditions - states in part: . . .Such plan shaZZ be referred to the Planning and Zoning Com- mission for study, report, and pubZic hearing. After pubZic hearing, the same shaZZ be submitted to the City Council for consideration and action. The approval and recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be accompanied by a report stating the reasons and basis for approval of the plans with particular consideration with regard to the foZZowing: (a) The effect on the vaZue of adjacent property. To this end the Commission may make appropriate requirements. The proposal is compatible with its surroundings. The proposed racquet club to the east and the apartments have been designed toward mutual compatibility. Compatibility exists with Gateway Center to the north. The proposed single family subdivision to the west has been designed as an integral part of the overall development. Agricultural lands are south of the proposal . Particular attention should be paid to the submitted landscaping plan. A very extensive effort has been made illustrated by plantings and berms to soften the effect of the three structures to its surroundings. (b) Consistency of the plan with the interest and purposes of this chapter to promote pubZic health, safety, and general weZfare. 2 The project will be adequately serviced by City water and sanitary sewer. Sanitary sewer to this project, the racquet club, and the single family subdivision is anticipated to be constructed by September of this year. Natural storm water drainage will be effectuated through a system which will flow eastward to two water retention areas just east of the racquet club. Access and entrance to the project is a median-divided boulevard on the west side of the project. Each apartment structure has its individual entrance with a resulting no cross-circulation from one structure to the other. Pedestrian circulation throughout the project is handled by an extensive interior walkway system. Exterior lighting will be consistent with that of the racquet club. The design of the project is one which is unlike other projects in that the 330 units are situated in three structures. Alternative designs would be the placement of multiple structures throughout the tract of land. The pro- ject is conceived to utilize solar energy as an integral portion of its design. It is to be anticipated that this development will have no detrimental effect upon the school system. Statistics bear out the conclusion that apartment structures do not generate large numbers of children. (c) Consistency of the plan with the principle that dwelling units be restricted to one-famiZy, two-famiZy, and/or multiple-famiZy dwellings with the usual accessory build- ings such as garages, storage space, or community activi- ties, including churches. The plan shows the project to consist of three multiple family structures. (d) Density proposed in the plan shall be no greater than that allowable in the district for which the tract is zoned. The tract is zoned "R-3. " Excluding the 80-foot right-of-way on the west, the tract comprises 14. 11 acres . At maximum usage, 336 dwelling units is allowable. Three hundred thirty units are proposed. (e) Adequacy of areas reserved for play and recreational facilities. The wide range of recreational activity includes "active," "semi-active," and "passive. " The orientation of open space in this project is towards "passive" activities. This is illustrated in the extensive landscaping plan. The racquet club includes a swimming pool which will be available to the residents in the project. CITY OF AMES DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PREPARED: MAY 13, 1977 MEETING DATE: MAY 18, 1977 The following is a review of the information submitted in conjunction with the application for plan approval for the "C-5" tract of land at the north- west corner of Elwood Drive and Oakwood Road and owned by Ev Cochrane and Associates. No attempt will be made in this report to elaborate upon the feasibility and philosophy of the proposal . It is staff opinion that such a discussion would be superfluous in view of an anticipated detailing of the proposal by Mr. Ray Crites, Mr. Cochrane's architect, at the Commission meeting. Rather, this report will judge applicability of the submittals to the "C-5" ordinance and express staff reaction, as appropriate. There has been submitted a gen- eralized description and content of the proposal . This is enclosed. Visual presentations of the following accompany this report. " (c) Planning Requirements. No building permit will be issued until the development of the land for commercial purposes has been planned for and the plan for land use approved by the City Council . A plan for land use shall include: (1) A certified topographic survey indicating: legal description; existing contours; existing utilities; and natural and man-made features. This requirement has been met. (2) A site plan indicating: areas to be developed for buildings, parking, and landscaping; pedestrian and vehicular circulation; finished topography; points of ingress and egress ; location of all existing and proposed utilities; location, size, and char- acteristics of identification and adverti3ing signs; lighting layout, appurtenances , and intensity of illumination; elevations of buildings and structures. All of these requirements have been met and are illustrated on the various attachments. Comments. The ordinance-required Statement of Intent will be part of the overall presentation at the meeting. The area to be developed for the structure is adequately placed and dimensioned and is illustrated as being enclosed within a 10-foot "envelope" similar to that utilized with Gateway Center. This envelope affords flexibility of move- ment within the 10-foot area in possible instances of unforeseen site compli- cations. All utilities either are now or will be available to the site this summer. The storm water drainage system is presently being designed by the Public Works Department. The point of access to Elwood Drive is properly placed and approved by Paul Wiegand, City Traffic Engineer. (Memo attached) Ralph Parks, Fire Chief, has viewed the proposal and fire protection facili- ties and hydrant placeing will be determined prior to application for build- ing permits. This is the same procedure as for Gateway Center. Application is being made to the Federal Aviation Administration for airport flight clearance. Due to the fact that public right-of-way dedication and the division of a larger parcel of land is involved, this "C-5" tract will ultimately need to be platted. Platting is a separate step and should not interfore with the present proposal for plan approval . (3) A landscape plan indicating: location, size, and description of all proposed and existing plant materials; existing plant materials to be removed; existing plant materials to be re- tained; areas to be developed for buildings, parking, streets, and landscaping. A conceptual landscape plan is, attached, along with a schedule of plant materials. An extensive system is integrated between the racquet club and apartment structures. The intent of the design will be explained by the landscape architect at the meeting. (4) A financial report indicating: evidence of financial resources to assure satisfactory completion of the proposed development, including bond or cash escrow to guarantee satisfactory perform- ance of the provisions of the site and landscape plans in a sum established by the City Manager. This has yet to be submitted. Upon consultation with Mr. Cochrane's attor- ney, it has been stated that negotiations have transpired with two agencies and a report will be forthcoming. Any questions on this item can be taken up at the meeting.