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<br />Staff recommended approval of the request of the REZONING of 2990 and 2996 <br />Cleveland Avenue N; approval of the PRELIMINARY PLAT; and GENERAL <br />CONCEPT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT for the property at 2990, 2996, <br />3008 and 3010 Cleveland Avenue N; based on the comments and findings, and <br />the conditions as detailed in the project report dated August 6, 2008. <br />Discussion included setback recommendations of staff in Condition a; staff <br />rationale for recommending an increase in parking, when reduced parking fields <br />and additional green space are more amenable, and based on its isolation from <br />other areas in Twin Lakes for shared parking opportunities, no public ramp and <br />the narrow width of Langton Lake Drive preventing on-street parking; and <br />landscaping on the north and south side of the project property, with some tree <br />retention of those species desirable and in good health, as well as retaining the <br />natural landscaping to segue into the natural park and wetland areas. <br />Staff noted that part of the negotiation process with the developer would be <br />ongoing discussions regarding landscaping; and Commissioner Doherty <br />suggested that if mature trees were available elsewhere on the property, and if <br />possible, that they be relocated to the north side of the site. <br />Further discussion included potential turnaround, depending on where City or <br />developer-owned property was determined to be used, based on ongoing <br />negotiations for access into the athletic field (park) area; staff suggested proposal <br />supporting widening of the roadway after the curve for additional space, with the <br />roadway twenty-four feet (24’) in width up to that point; dedication of the plat and <br />right-of-way maintenance based on specific agreements yet to be drafted as a <br />Public Improvement Contract; whether the north side should be designated as an <br />outlot or not and rationale for such a designation, with the Public Works and <br />Planning Departments supporting the roadway as proposed in the staff report as a <br />right-of-way dedication, to incorporate landscaping to achieve the gateway goal <br />rather than as an outlot; and advantages to have someone else (i.e., developer) <br />responsible for maintaining the landscaping rather than an added City expense <br />and use of staff resources. <br />Additional discussion included trail connections to the path or sidewalk yet to be <br />determined; park and wetland area designations; determination of a <br />recommendation, at the discretion of the Parks and Recreation Commission, as to <br />land or cash in lieu of for park dedication; ongoing discussions with staff and the <br />developer, and preference expressed by the Commission, for a pathway behind <br />the building to continue connections as a public amenity, as well as to encourage <br />residents of the facility to walk outside with a connection to other buildings, and <br />based on advocacy of the Parks and Recreation Commission as part of their <br />recommendation process; and consideration of a possible transit connection off <br />Cleveland and options for making the area and project more transit-friendly. <br />Ms. Radel advised that staff would review plans to verify closest transit stops, and <br />encourage developers to take that into consideration, based on support of <br />Metropolitan Transit representatives and future plans in the area, and in light of <br />future develop anticipated in the area. <br />Commissioner Gottfried, based on expertise, noted that access into the site was <br />limited to larger buses, with the exception of circulator and/or metro mobility <br />vehicles; and suggested that the developer consider canopy heights when <br />constructing the building to make sure they were of a height to accommodate <br />such mass transit options for loading and unloading, as well as whether an off- <br />street cut-out could be included, noting the difficulty in Cleveland Avenue being a <br />County Road, and whether Metropolitan Transit was open to discussions on <br />applicable transit options. <br />Further discussion included the status of City Council approval of the Applewood <br />Point II project, and validity of the Preliminary Plat, with Mr. Paschke advising that <br />that situation was part of the rationale for including the Preliminary Plat approval <br /> <br />