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<br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />Chair Nichols-Matkaiti requested the applicant come forward at this time. <br />Paul Hoyer, Pulte Homes, thanked the Commission for their time and consideration. He provided the <br />Commission with a short presentation on the townhomes he was proposing to construct. He <br />explained Pulte Homes constructs 500 homes each year. He reviewed the original site plan and <br />discussed how the development had changed after receiving feedback from the City. The proposed <br />townhome design was described and it was noted the units would be 1,800 to 2,500 square feet in <br />size with three to five bedrooms. <br />Devin Quest, Dominium, reported his company has been around for the past 45 years completing <br />affordable housing projects. He explained Dominium worked as developers, managers, operators and <br />owners of affordable housing units across the country. He indicated Dominium was the second <br />largest affordable apartment development and management company in the nation and was <br />headquartered out of Plymouth, Minnesota. He stated Dominium manages over 30,000 apartment <br />units. He reviewed several project renderings with the Commission and provided an overview of the <br />amenities that would be included in the apartment communities. <br />Max Moen, Spec Consulting and Traffic Engineer, provided the Commission with an overview on the <br />traffic study that was completed for this development. He reviewed the existing intersection level of <br />service for both the AM and PM peak hours. He discussed the recommended traffic improvements <br />noting the City should add a southwest bound turn lane on Old Highway 8 at 8th Avenue. In <br />addition, traffic signals should be added at this intersection when the southern leg is added. He <br />recommended the City install stop signs at both access points to the neighborhood and that a <br />crosswalk not be added on Old Highway 8 near the bridge over the railroad. <br />Chair Nichols-Matkaiti asked when the traffic data was collected. Mr. Moen reported the data was <br />collected shortly before the MnPASS project began. <br />Mr. Hoyer stated a large team has been working on this project. He reported the proposed plans <br />comply with the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. He explained the proposed development would <br />provide much needed housing types through thoughtful neighborhood design as well as versatile and <br />attractive buildings. <br />Owen Mentz, Project Lead for Dominium, thanked staff for their assistance with this project. He <br />explained he understood parking was a concern for the workforce housing development. He assured <br />the Commission that the proposed parking was adequate noting Dominium would not design and <br />build a project without adequate parking. <br />Commissioner Frischman questioned what the height of the buildings would be. Mr. Hoyer reviewed <br />the proposed height for the townhomes and apartment buildings. He noted the maximum height for <br />the townhomes would be 46 feet at the peak and the apartment building would be 56 feet at the <br />peak. He commented on the natural buffers that were in place surrounding this development. <br />Commissioner Frischman stated the height of the buildings may be an area of concern for the <br />adjacent neighborhood. <br />Commissioner McQuillan asked why a 20-foot setback was being requested when a 25-foot setback <br />was required within a PRD. Mr. Quest reported Dominium had drafted a plan to meet the density <br />requirements of the City. He explained the five-foot variance was being requested to allow for the <br />property density and building design. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development