DCPREZ-2014-10797 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a Utilities The building on the site is currently served by a private septic system. It is staff's understanding that the current system is sized for a small office use. The conversion from a small office use to a 17 bedroom residential use may very likely require some significant changes to the existing septic system. These changes may include the need for a larger septic tank along with more land area needed to accommodate a larger septic drain field. The size of the needed septic system,based on the proposed use,may become a limiting factor as to the number of bedrooms that can be accommodated on this site. Dane County will serve as the regulatory body that will oversee the adherence to necessary plumbing codes. It has been City policy,and as stated in the four party intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Burke,that sewer and water services are only to be provided to lands that are within the City's corporate limits.The site will continue to be served by well and septic until the property is annexed into the city. Landscaping Even though this parcel may not be attached to the City for a number of years,staff thinks that it is important for this site to fit in with the development that will eventually occur on surrounding properties. If this site were within the City,additional landscaping would be needed to meet the City's landscaping standards. Staff recommends that additional landscaping be added to the front/street yard of the site,along with foundation and parking lot landscaping. The City's landscaping standards address the requirements for street yards,buildings,and the paved areas of any given site. While it may not be necessary for the applicant to bring the site into full compliance with City requirements,there are areas of the property where additional landscaping could be added to bring the site into closer compliance with City standards—especially in the higher visibility areas along Brooks Drive. An existing landscaping bed exists along the front(south)and west sides of the building, however that area currently consists solely of gravel mulch. Landscaping could easily be added in this area along the foundation. In addition,there is ample area on the west side of the parking lot to add landscaping. Staff recommends that the applicant work with City staff to finalize a landscaping plan for this site prior to the issuance of occupancy by the County. Comprehensive plan The City's comprehensive plan identifies the lands along the northerly portion of USH 151 as an office park with appropriate zoning districts for these areas to include Suburban Office(SO)and Urban Commercial(UC). While the proposed use is not an office use per se,the proposed use is allowed in the SO zoning district with approval of a conditional use permit—as is also the case through Dane County zoning with a proposal of the size that is being requested(> 16 people). Further,the applicant is seeking to make use of an existing small building and site. Since this site is located immediately adjacent to a tall communications tower that is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future,the impact to adjacent properties should be minimal. R-4 Zoning request On its face,the request for R-4 zoning appears logical,since community living arrangement uses(up to 15 people)are permitted by right within this district. Community living arrangements with greater than 15 people require a conditional use permit,per Dane County's zoning ordinance. Also permitted by right within the R-4 district are multi-family dwellings and condominiums. While the site is relatively small, if the homeless shelter were to discontinue,a number of uses may develop under R-4 zoning without the need for City oversight. Since this area is slated to come into the city by 2037,staff recommends a zoning district that would limit the range of uses on this site. This would give the City a degree of control while at the same time allowing 4