HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOTTAGES ON LAPORTE - PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW - PDR150025 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PROJECT NARRATIVEk. The current density in LMN is 9 houses per acre putting this development site at 4.5. We are
proposing 5 units, to help offset the development costs as well as contribute to a more sustainable area
by increasing density to help combat sprawl.
1. There was a similar proposal to this for the same site by the owner in 2011 or 2012 that went through
conceptual review.
m. Given that there are no examples of this type of pocket neighborhood currently in town, and given
the layout challenges of this infill site, we look forward to having the City help us come up with
solutions to overcome some of the challenges, such as parking, and fire access, while creating a vibrant
livable neighborhood community. One specific question is are we allowed any on street parking along
our frontage that is adjacent to our drive access?
Site Plan.
a. parcel # 97091-03-009. Adjacent properties consist of single family detached houses with a one time
proposal of a large multi -family development to the north on adjacent vacant land.
b. Circulation system is designed to have access from Laporte Ave. which is a minor arterial with one
lane of traffic going each direction and a turn lane in the middle. Residence would pull in and park
then walk along a path to access their house. We would like to accommodate emergency access by
providing access approximately half way into the site. Providing a turn around or longer access will
likely make this project unrealistic. At this time there is no sidewalk on the north side of Laporte Ave,
so ours would be the first, with a tie in from the community likely on the east portion of the lot.
c. Currently there are no trees, so removal will be unnecessary. We plan to plant trees but do not have a
specific landscape design at this time.
d. This is currently vacant land with no buildings.
e. The natural features of the lot currently consist of grass, hay, alfalfa and some weeds. There are no
trees on the site currently.
f. The on site improvements consist of multiple single family houses, with detached parking as well as
a sidewalk and parkways off of Laporte Ave.
g. Currently there is no water detention. The prevailing drainage is north/west to south/east with
negligible slope. This will likely stay the drainage condition, however we have talked about the
common green area being designed as to act as a detention area as well as the possibility of another
area toward Laporte on the south/east comer.
h. Currently the emergency vehicle access if on Laporte Avenue, and the closest fire hydrant is on the
comer of Impala Drive.
Preliminary Design Review application
Cottages on Laporte
Project Narrative:
a. We propose to build an infill pocket neighborhood on a half acre site, consisting of five small
detached houses ranging from approximately 400 sf to 1000 sf with entries and porches overlooking a
common open space, on Laporte Ave approximately 2 miles west of Old Town and a'A mile west of
Taft Hill Rd. These houses are intended to be prototypes for future projects that would use these floor
layouts for larger developments. Garages are detached from houses, but attached together, possibly
broken into 2 and 3 single care units. Our goal is to create de -facto affordable, workforce housing that
is within bike commuting distance to employment in the surrounding area.
b. There are currently no improvements on the parcel.
c. Given the shape of the parcel with a street frontage of 82.5' and a depth of 264' the parking will be a
challenge. Our desire is to pave as little as necessary to maximize landscaping and minimize
impervious surfaces to create the most livable environment. We understand that the south 12' will
become sidewalk and parkway, while we hope to work our parking into the front of the lot to limit
vehicular traffic and paving the length of the lot which would have a signifcant negative impact on the
potential for the landscaped environment.
d. The site layout is to have the majority of buildings on the western portion of the lot and wrapping
around the north end to allow the maximum green area, utility easements and access to the units. From
Laporte Ave, the view will include landscaping, parking a potential detention area in the s/e comer and
the garages and house closest to Laporte. The architecture is is single family detached houses with a
combination of craftsman bungalow, Victorian and more contemporary buildings creating an eclectic
community.
e. The current area consists of single family detached houses on the north side of Laporte with a large
Church a few lots to the west. On the south side of the street are PSD administrative buildings and
Impala drive for Poudre High School. East of Impala are two story, multi -family units, Ramblewood
apartments, so the area is has a mix of buildings and uses currently.
£ Currently there is no water detention.
g. The prevailing drainage is north/west to south/east with negligible slope. This will likely stay the
drainage condition, however we have talked about the common green area being designed as to act as a
detention area as well as the possibility of another area toward Laporte on the southeast corner.
h. Other than using Low Impact Development strategies to minimize run off and detention, treatment is
not proposed.
I. The natural features of the lot currently consist of grass, hay, alfalfa and some weeds. There are no
trees on the site currently.
j. Currently there are no existing structures on the site. The new houses will have fire supression
systems built in, probably a P-2904 systems.