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D. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) – Flexibility Requested The FAR is the sum of the gross horizontal area of all floors of a building as measured in square feet from the exterior sides of the exterior walls, but not including covered porches; decks; any space where the average floor-to-ceiling height is less than six feet; attached or detached garages; and other detached accessory structures. The R-2 Zoning District allows a FAR up to 30% for a residential structure in this district. The applicant has indicated that flexibility is being requested to allow a FAR up to 65%. See the diagram below for an example of the City’s existing FAR requirement of 30% in comparison with the proposed FAR of 65% when applied to the smallest and largest lot within the proposed development. Lot Size Home Size in Sq. Ft. with Existing Zoning FAR of 30% Home Size in Sq. Ft. with Proposed FAR of 65% 12,043 (Smallest Lot Proposed) *3,613 *7,828 20,324 (Largest Lot Proposed) *6,097 *13,211 *Each FAR column indicates the maximum home size in square feet per lot (less the attached garage, decks, and accessory structures). E. Building Height and Density – Meets Requirements The maximum building height in the R-2 District is 35 feet. None of the homes constructed on this site would exceed the City’s height requirements. The maximum density allowed by the Zoning Code within the R-2 District is 5 units per net acre. There are 4.67 buildable acres on this property. The construction of 8 single-family units would result in a net density of 1.71 units per acre. The City’s Comprehensive Plan currently sets the minimum density allowed for new development at 1.5 units per acre. The land use classification of Very Low Density is defined as 1.5 to 3 units per acre. If the proposed development is approved the City will reclassify this property in the 2030 Future Land Use Map as Very Low Density. F. Setbacks – Flexibility Requested The minimum building setbacks in the R-2 District are 40 feet in the front yard, 30 feet in the rear yard, and 5 feet minimum in a side yard, with both sides required to add up to 15 feet. The applicant has indicated that flexibility is being requested for a front yard setback of 25 feet. A 25 foot front yard setback has been requested in order to protect additional significant trees at the rear of each lot and to preserve the natural slope of the lots towards City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for January 7, 2014 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2014\PC 14-034 - Valentine Cove - Plat and PUD\Memos_Reports_14-034 Page 7 of 14