Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Thomas Paschke <br />September 4, 2003 <br />Page 2 <br />The proposed site plan is based upon locating the building and associated parking areas <br />on the portion of the site, which results in the least impact on existing wetlands. On Site <br />B there is a wetland area parallel to the easterly property boundary. By placing the <br />condominium facility in the middle and the westerly portion of the site, the impact is <br />minimized to some significant trees and wetland areas. It also provides a 100' setback <br />from the existing easterly property boundary and over 140' to the nearest home. By <br />orienting the building north /south, the visual impact from Roselawn Avenue is also <br />minimized. This placement also provides views from the condominium of both woods <br />and wetlands to the north and east, along with views of the University of Minnesota Golf <br />Course to the south and the new residential town homes to the west. <br />Access to the site will be off of Fulham Street with separate access for guest parking and <br />to the underground parking facility. We are currently proposing two parking stalls per <br />unit underneath the facility, with an additional 13 guest parking stalls in front. The <br />condominium structure will be three stories in height, with one level of underground <br />parking. The architectural elements of the condominium building will compliment both <br />the proposed town homes and the Midland Hills Country Club clubhouse. <br />On the easterly portion (Site A), we are proposing six single -level town homes with <br />basements. Access once again will be off of Fulham Street, and each unit will provide <br />two interior garage parking stalls, along with room for an additional two parking stalls <br />within the driveway, and an additional 10 guest parking stalls between each pod of town <br />home units. This may be provided on an as- needed basis. The approach in siting the <br />town home units was to create a neighborhood street presence along Fulham Street, <br />and allow access in parking areas to the rear of the town home. Each town home will <br />have its own separate, private patio, and depending upon the unit, will provide views of <br />the proposed condominium unit, wetlands and woodlands to the north and west, or <br />views to the University of Minnesota Golf Club to the south. <br />The landscape plan provides extensive landscaping throughout the site, and is based on <br />maintaining and enhancing the natural features. To help minimize any views regarding <br />our structures, we are proposing to do additional landscaping within the yards of our <br />most adjacent neighbors. The image of the site will be established by the preservation <br />of the existing trees on the street frontage and additional median plantings and <br />streetscaping along Fulham Street. Sod will be provided as an edge transition adjacent <br />to the parking lots and driveways, and in the zone between the building and the paved <br />areas. Over story deciduous and coniferous trees are utilized for accents along the <br />edges of the pavement driveway areas. Foundation plantings and ornamental trees will <br />provide color accents and human scale for the frontage along all of the residential <br />structures. Underground automatic irrigation will be provided for all of the sod and shrub <br />planting areas, and the grounds crew at Midland Hills Country Club will maintain all of <br />the landscaped grounds. <br />In addition to landscaping, we are proposing to rebuild and upgrade the existing Midland <br />Hills Country Club sign on the southeast corner of Site B. <br />The proposed plan configuration results in impacts to the wetlands totaling .28 acres of <br />fill required to accommodate the building and construction areas. The proposed fill of <br />wetland areas will be offset by mitigation, wetland improvements, and upland buffers. <br />First, dedicating and maintaining an upland buffer on the east side of Site B will preserve <br />