3 Pulte Homes Arboretum VillageCITYOF
CHANHASSEN
690 CiO, Center Drive, ?0 Box 147
Chm~hasse~, 3[i~mesota 55317
P/,o~e 612 937.1900
Ge~e~d Fax 612. 932 5L~9
E~gineeri~g ~¥ 61Z 937.9152
Pubhc 5afl? Fax 612.934.2524
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUB J:
Park 8,: Recreation Commission
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
January 4, 2001
Pulte Homes, Arboretum Village
The commission tabled this item on November 28, 2000, requesting that
additional options for park needs be investigated with the applicant. On
December 18, 2000, Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director and I
met with Mr. Dennis Griswold, Director of Land for Pulte Homes of Minnesota.
Upon opening the meeting, I reviewed with Mr. Griswold the concerns of the
commission that led to the tabling of the application.
rite Village Home Association Park: Commission members expressed a desire
to see this area opened up through the removal of some of the village home
units. Mr. Griswold was hesitant to delete units at this location, allowing for
more open space adjacent to the private drives. At the conclusion of our
meeting, Dennis indicated he would relocate two units--one from each building
next to the path to another location within the development (Unit 2, Block 1,
Phase I).
Rental Unit Totlot: The rental units have been omitted from the plan and are
now proposed as three and four unit manor homes. The totlot has been relocated
from its location adjacent to West 78th Street to a central location adjacent to the
wetland. Staff is not comfortable with a separation between the totlot and the
adjoining units; however, Mr. Griswold is.
Trail Connection: A trail connection between the North Manor Home
cul-de-sac and the public wetland trail has been added to the plan.
Phasing: All totlots and park areas are included as a part of Phase I.
PUD Development Standards: Pulte Homes is requesting a zoning change from
A-2, Agricultural Estate to PUD, Planned Unit Development. The purpose of
which is to create a PUD neighborhood commercial/mixed density housing
zone. The use of the PUD is to allow for more flexible design standards while
creating a higher quality and more sensitive proposal.
The Gty of Chmthassen. A ~rou,in~ community, with clean lakes, aualit¥ schools, a cham~ine downtown, thrivin~ businesses, and ~eauti~d vark~. ,4 vreat t~b~ce to live. work. and
Park and Recreation Commission
January 4, 2001
Page 2
The following standards and guidelines apply to single family attached or cluster
home PUDs.
Section 20-50&
Single family attached, cluster, zero lot line, and similar dwelling types
shall only be allowed on sites designed for medium or high density
residential uses by the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan.
Minimum lot sizes. Minimum lot sizes down to 5, 000 square feet may be
allowed. However, in no case will gross density exceed guidelines
established by the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan.
c) Setback Standards/Structures and Parking:
PUD Exterior
Interior Public Right-of-way
Other setbacks
- 50feet
- 30feet*
- Established by PUD
Agreement
* The 30-footfrontyard setback may be waived by the City Council when
it is demonstrated that environmental protection will be enhanced. In these
instances, a minimum front yard setback of 2O feet shall be maintained.
The applicant must demonstrate that the flexibility provided by the PUD is
used to protect and preserve natural features such as' tree stands', wetlands,
ponds, and scenic views. These areas are to be permanently protected as
public or private tracts or protected by permanently recorded easements.
An overall landscaping plan is required. The plan shall contain the
following:
Boulevard Plantings - Located in front yard areas these shall
require a mix of over-story trees and other plantings consistent
with the site. Landscaped berms shall be provided to screen the
site from major roadways, railroads and more intensive land uses.
Well designed entrance monument is required In place of mass
grading for building pads and roads, stone or decorative block
retaining walls shall be employed as required to preserve mature
trees and the site's natural topography.
Park and Recreation Commission
January 4, 2001
Page 3
Exterior Landscaping and Double Fronted Lots - Landscaped
berms shall be provided to buffer the site and lots from major
roadways, railroads, and more intensive uses. Similar measures
shall be provided for double fronted lots'. Where necessary to
accommodate this landscaping, additional lot depth may be
required.
Foundation and Yard Plantings - A minimum budget for foundation
plants' shall be established and approved by the city. As each
parcel is developed in the PUD, the builder shall be required to
install plant materials' meeting or exceeding the required budget
prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy or provide financial
guarantees acceptable to the city.
Tree preservation is' a primary goal of the PUD. A detailed tree
survey should be prepared during the design of the PUD and the
plans shouM be developed to maximize tree preservation.
Architectural Standards - The applicant should demonstrate that the PUD
will provide for a high level of architectural design and building materials.
While this requirement is' not intended to minimize design flexibility, a set
of architectural standards should be prepared for city approval. The
primary purpose of this section is lo assure the city that high quality design
will be employed and that home construction can take place without
variances or impact to adjoining lots. The PUD Agreement should include
the following:
1) Standards for exterior architectural treatments.
Prohibition against free standing garages may be required by the
city when it is felt that unattached garages will be difficult to
accommodate due to small lot sizes. If an attached garage is to be
converted to living space at some time in the future, the applicant
will have to demonstrate that there is sufficient room to
accommodate a two car garage without variances to obtain a
permit.
Guidelines regulating the placement of air conditioners, dog
kennels, storage buildings, and other accessory uses that could
potentially impact adjoining parcels due to small lot sizes.
Park and Recreation Commission
January 4, 2001
Page 4
Items (d) Protection and Preservation of Natural Features and (e)(4) Tree
Preservation are of primary concern to the Park & Recreation Commission.
Pulte Homes is preserving 17+ of the 63+ acres, which is residential and above
wetlands. This leaves 46_+ acres with homes on it. With a goal of preserving
open space, trees, and natural features, density transfers on this site have
allowed 37%+ of the residential area above wetlands to be preserved. In
addition, the city is retaining full park fees to be invested on other projects and
using trail fees to construct the wetlands trail. It is my position that the proposed
PUD does an excellent job of satisfying a diverse set of interests.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Park & Recreation Commission recommend the City
Council approve the Arboretum Village PUD as depicted in the attached plan
and the following conditions of approval regarding parks and trails:
1. Full park and trail dedication fees be collected.
2. Dedication of the north wetland and wetland trail alignment and treed
open space as a public outlot.
3. Pulte Homes shall construct the north wetland trail as a public amenity
with reimbursement from the trail's dedication fund.
4. All totlots shall have a minimum capacity of 40 children.
C~
Scott Botcher, City Manager
Todd Gerhardt, Assistant City Manager
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director
Dennis Griswold, Pulte Homes
g:\park\th\pultel .doc