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Memo to Planning Commission/OA 01-01 <br />February 27, 2001 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Quality of Open Space <br /> <br />As a method to preserve higher quality open space, the Commission <br />suggested that at least 35% of the open space be "buildable area". Buildable <br />area is defined as gross land area less the land that includes floodways, <br />hydric and restrictive soils, lands with slopes greater than 33%, wetlands, <br />and areas that can not accommodate septic systems. The ordinance should <br />also be amended to give the City the option of requiring that shoreland and <br />areas along streams be included as preserved open space. <br /> <br />The Commission also thought that the 5% density bonus for additional 10% <br />open space, above the required 50%, should only given if the additional 10% <br />is buildable. <br /> <br />The Commission felt that the maximum lot size allowed should be 2½ acres <br />and that if the maximum lots size is ~ acre there should be a 5% density <br />bonus. <br /> <br />Architectural Theme <br /> <br />The Commission felt a written narrative describing the architectural theme <br />of a project should be provided at the same time that the preliminary plat is <br />submitted. The 5% bonus should also be further broken down. Landscape <br />theme, lighting theme and a common open space/central gathering place <br />would make up 2.5% of the density bonus and additional architectural <br />elements would make up 2.5% of the density bonus. <br /> <br />Front Yard Setback <br /> <br />The current minimum front yard setback of 30 feet is too restrictive and does <br />not allow developers to create more pedestrian friendly, walkable <br />neighborhoods. By reducing the minimum front yard setback to 20 feet, a <br />developer would have more flexibility in design and additional trees could be <br />preserved. The Commission wanted the garages to have a less dominant <br />presence in the streetscape and recommend that garages be setback back <br />further than the house. A 30 foot minimum setback for garages was <br />recommended. <br /> <br />Density Bonus Calculations <br /> <br />It is currently not clear how the 5% density bonus should be calculated, <br />whether it is based on zoning district density or the open space density. The <br />intention was that it should be based on the zoning district density, and the <br />following formula should be included to make it clear: <br /> <br />S:\PLANNING\SCOTT~OA0101CC.DOC <br /> <br /> <br />