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Planning Commission Minutes/Elk River Station June 26,2001 Page 11 Commissioner Mesich asked if a concept plan was available for the senior housing component. Mr.Pratt explained that they have met with Guardian Angels 3—4 times and twice with their architect. They have requested several months to analyze and develop their concepts. When details are available,they will be presented to the Commission. He noted that Carol Mills of Guardian Angels has stated they have a strong desire to build a daycare center attached to the senior housing. Commissioner Mesich asked how parking would be affected by the senior housing. Mr. Pratt explained that these senior housing units are cooperative and are individually owned. Parking would be similar to Dominium's apartment project. Marc Putman stated that the apartment building is roughly 30 apartments per floor(less than 90 units) with a greater percentage of parking than they normally see. Commissioner Mesich stated he was concerned that the area which was previously proposed to be commercial is now going to be senior housing,and if so,where are these people going to go,when they want to walk to the hairdresser or the drycleaners,etc. Mr.Pratt stated that Guardian Angels stated that they have proposed the senior housing be where all the"action" is, all the cars and people, at their request. Chair Pederson asked if the apartment buildings would be three-story. Mr.Sween stated that they are proposing a"step"design for a 2-3-4 story building,which will take away from the "mass"appearance of the building. He stated they are also considering offering a number of choices including 1 bedroom apartments, 2-bedrooms, and townhouse-style apartments • where the living area is underneath the sleeping area. Brian Lubben,BKV Group,reviewed sketches of the proposed apartments,stating that this style of building tends to break up the facade and presents a more monolific appearance. He stated that the ends of the buildings will be stepped down. There will be approximately 52 units per block. A variety of materials will be used,including brick and siding,and will feature architectural treatments such as bumps and bays. Mr. Harlicker reviewed the location of the proposed project at this time for those in the audience who are not familiar with the project. Commissioner Mesich asked why single family detached townhomes are not included in the plan. He asked where garages will be located. Mr.Putman explained that there will be two types of buildings;one will be a"row house"configuration and the other will be"back-to- back". He stated that when finished,it will be difficult to tell the front from the back. The appearance of the ends of the buildings will be given careful consideration. The fronts of the buildings will face the sidewalks and greens. He stated that they have worked hard to become a model for current market rate multi-family residential housing. He felt they will accomplish this by mixing up a variety of buildings (large masses and small masses) and turning them different directions,with some order and organization,and by using different scales and designs with interesting architectural treatments. Mr.Putman explained that there are design challenges in planning single family detached townhomes and he felt this type of housing style works better in areas that are well-defined and removed from other places; where each development can have its own little"pod". Often empty nesters prefer this type of housing. Mr.Putman did not feel this design would work because of the layout of the • site. He felt there is only so much that can be done in designing this type of housing and