Ord 2011-064 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 1: Introduction, Project Location and Description Planned Development Districts (PDD's) provide one of the best structures for producing a unified and physically cohesive community. PDD Districts are intended to encourage flexible and creative planning, to ensure the compatibility of land uses, to allow all for adjustment to the changing demands, to meet the current needs of the community, and to to result in a higher quality development for the community than would result from the use of conventional zoning districts. The Thorpe Lane Lofts will be developed as an up to 174 -unit mixed use development incorporating a mixture of ground floor retail and/or office uses with multiple stories of loft apartments along the frontage of Thorpe Lane and Warden Street. For the purpose of this PDD, Loft Apartments shall be defined as a residential living space that is located on the second floor (or above) of a structure that has a nonresidential use, such as an office or retail shop, operating on the first floor. Parking will be provided within an onsite multilevel parking garage. The total area of the proposed PDD Zoning District will be 2.42 acres. The Project Site contains 2.42 acres of existing platted lots. Prior to development of the property, a final plat combining the 5 existing lots will be processed and recorded. It is anticipate that ten feet (10') of right -of -way (ROW) dedication along Thorpe Lane will be necessary as part of the final plat application. After dedication of the ROW along Thorpe Lane, the developed site area becomes 2.264 acres The Project Site currently has a Future Land Use Map designation of Mixed Use and an existing zoning of Mixed Use (MU). The Project Site will be developed with up to 174 two- bedroom loft apartments, a minimum of 2,060 square feet of retail and /or office uses, and 2,907 square feet of clubhouse area serving the residential apartments. The PDD proposes a base zoning designation of Mixed Use (MU) with a corresponding future land use map designation of Mixed Use for the entire project site. The development of this property will follow a modern, urban design with enhanced streetscape including wide sidewalks, trees within the sidewalks, a combination of planter boxes, seating areas and building lines close to the street to encourage pedestrian activity, upper stories off -set from the ground floor retail to provide visual distinction between uses and architecture that follows a modern, urban design combining masonry, metal, glass exterior elements for visual interest. Architectural designs are provided in Exhibit C. Thorpe Lane Lofts will incorporate various "Smart Growth" principles which are being promoted by The City of San Marcos for new developments. By virtue of its proximity to the University and creating an urban streetscape with wide sidewalks and outdoor gathering areas, residents will be encouraged to walk or bike to classes, thus reducing traffic congestion and burden on parking. The building also employs a vertical density, compact design with structured parking, to reduce its footprint.