Project Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

#04-2998 March 12, 2004 Page3 The PRD process allows the property owner to submit land subdivision plans for any "R" District without adherence to minimum lot size requirements for each building lot, provided that the total number ofbuilding lots, or dwelling units, shall not exceed the number of such lots or units permissible under the minimum lot size requirements of the zoning district. The dwelling units permitted may be, at the discretion of the Council and subject to the conditions set forth by the Council, in detached, attached or multiple family dwelling structures; subject to the limitations provided for in each zoning district. The dedication, ownership, use and maintenance of open spaces created by the application of the Planned Residential Development shall be subject to conditions deemed necessary by the Council to assure the preservation of such open spaces for their intended purposes, such as easements or other forms of dedication, covenants, etc. The City Council has broad discretion as to whether a property will be allowed to subdivide using the PRD process. The PRD should be considered when unique land configuration or natural amenities can be best protected and preserved by relaxing the lot subdivision regulations. The nature of this property is such that a relatively small portion of the 20-acre total is suitable for actual construction, due to the existence of wetlands, drainage ways, the creek, and steep slopes. The property is a candidate for development as a PRD, in staff's opinion. 4. Site Layout and Lot Standards A few general and some specific comments are offered here regrading the various concept plans: 1. Each of the five plans show a lot along the Luce Line, requiring a creek crossing and yielding a very narrow and limited (but perhaps highly attractive) building site very near the Luce Line Trail. This lot in each case is served by a driveway within a narrow corridor between or adjacent to other lots, making it by definition a back lot. It is not clear whether the area calculations yield 2 acres of dry buildable land. Staff would suggest that the setback along the Luce line must be considered as a rear lot line for this property and subject to a 50' setback, not 30' as shown. This leaves a buildable area of about 7500 s.f., mostly situated on a steep slope (perhaps bluff, perhaps not) overlooking the creek. Staff would strongly recommend that this lot not be created as a building site, and that it be preserved either as parkland adjacent to the Luce Line or via some other restrictions. Staff would suggest that preservation of this area of the property and avoiding any vehicular creek crossing to access it, should be a primary goal of the City in allowing development of this property.