The Encore 935 2nd St - CPED Staff Report

(From Planning Commission Agenda 10-27-2014)

The Encore (BZZ-6843, Ward: 3), 935 2^nd St S (Hilary Dvorak).

Download the Staff report

A. Conditional Use Permit: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a conditional use permit to amend an existing Planned Unit Development to construct a new 12-story, approximately 176 657 square foot, 122-unit residential building located at 935 2^nd St S. The property is zoned C3A Community Activity Center District and is located in the DP Downtown Parking Overlay District and the DH Downtown Height Overlay District.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a conditional use permit to amend an existing Planned Unit Development to construct a new 12-story, approximately 176,657 square foot, 124-unit residential building at the property located at 935 2^nd St S, subject to the following conditions:

1. The conditional use permit shall be recorded with Hennepin County as required by Minn. Stat. 462.3595, subd. 4 before building permits may be issued or before the use or activity requiring a conditional use permit may commence. Unless extended by the zoning administrator, the conditional use permit shall expire if it is not recorded within two years of approval.
2. As required by section 527.120 of the zoning code, the development shall comply with the standards for some combination of the following amenities from Table 527-1, Amenities and those proposed by the applicant totaling a minimum of 15 points: underground parking, outdoor open space, decorative fencing, enhanced exterior lighting, pet exercise area and recycling storage area.
3. There shall be a minimum of two visitor parking spaces designated on site.
4. There shall be a minimum of one bicycle parking space per dwelling unit provided within the building.

B. Variance: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a variance to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) of the building located at 935 2^nd St S from the permitted 4.8 to 5.62.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a variance to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) of the building from 4.8 to 5.62 located at 935 2^nd St S.

C. Site Plan Review: Application by Tony Kuechle with Sherman Associates for a site plan review for the property located at 935 2^nd St S.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the site plan review application to allow a new 12-story, approximately 176,657 square foot, 124-unit residential building at the property located at 935 2^nd St S, subject to the following conditions:

1. Approval of the final site plan, elevations, floor plan, landscaping plan and lighting plan by the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development.
2. All site improvements shall be completed by October 27, 2016, unless extended by the Zoning Administrator, or the permit may be revoked for non-compliance.
3. The applicant shall work with the utility company to try and locate the transformer along 10^th Ave S to the south side of the building and then screen it with landscaping.
4. The applicant shall design the east side of the twelfth floor and the south side of the first floor so as to not have any expanse of wall that is over 25 feet in length and blank.
5. No less than six canopy trees or 12 ornamental trees shall be provided on the site.