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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-12 Site Overview PresentationMcKean Square McKean Square September 12, 2002 1 i Valley Senior Services Alliance The McKean Square site is a truly unique natural environment. The remarkable features include many mature Oak trees adjacent to the wetland areas. Large groves of conifer trees form a solid reen backdrop. Four wetlands are dispersed on the 36- acre site. Each wetland is different in size and in its surrounding environment. Deer, hawks and numerous other forms of wildlife are at home in this setting. Based on a careful analysis of the site and identification of the natural features, the McKean Square development will be integrated into this natural setting. Several different building types and configurations have been developed so that buildings will fit into existing open spaces, preserving the trees. The rolling terrain provides the opportunity to offer many walkout basements. Two story buildings, built into the natural slope of the land will afford ground floor access to all units while offering fantastic views. Each building will be placed to minimize the disruption to the surroundings and to maximize the enjoyment of the setting. McKean Square will be a community comprised of wooded areas, wetlands, trails, streams, animals, and people, living in harmony. Introduction History VSSA received a preliminary design approval for the McKean Square site in 1998. That plan consisted of: • Four -story apartment building with 90 units • Approximately 5,000 feet of 34 foot roadway (170,000 square feet) • Proposed 200 to 250 residential units • Road running through a wetland • Buildings placed on two wetlands • No consideration of topography • No consideration of tree locations resulting in the loss of Oaks and Pines Revised plan submitted in early 2002: • Preserved three wetlands and created additional ponds and streams • Placed roads with consideration of topography • Did not consider tree locations resulting in the loss of Oaks and Pines • Decreased the amount of roads by using a series of cul- de-sacs • Incorporated extensive walking trails • Created historic village The current proposal: • Two -story Brownstone Flat building with approximately 42 units • Approximately 4,000 feet of 25 foot roadway (100,000 square ft) • Creates less impervious surface by decreasing roadway width • Uses loop roads rather than cul -de -sacs • Preserves all four wetlands • Strategically places buildings with attention to topography to enhance views and maintain the natural landscape • Utilizes alternate building types to preserve Oak trees and large stands of Pines • Incorporates extensive walking trails • Creates a historic village by preserving the old school and a reproduction of the First Presbyterian church • Decreases overall density to approximately 150 units A Reproduction of the First Presbyterian Church will be constructed in the Historic Village The original Stillwater School building will be renovated and moved to the Historic Village Site Plan Guidelines Planning efforts for McKean Square began with a walk of the site. These walks informed us that we have a truly beautiful site that must be preserved in the development process. The study of topographical maps, aerial photos, and direct observation brought us to the conclusion that buildings, roads and parking areas must be integrated into the site through careful site planning and design. In order to preserve the setting we developed the following criteria. O Various building types and sizes will be developed. O Buildings will be placed in open areas, preserving Oak trees and groves of evergreens where possible. O Street widths should be minimized so that trees are not replaced with asphalt. ® Building setbacks must be managed to provide flexibility in building placement. O Where possible, buildings should be placed on downward slopes to enhance views and provide for walkout basements. . While streets must provide access to usable building sites, they must avoid wetlands and Oak trees. O Provide loop streets to connect neighborhoods, rather than cul-de -sacs. Particular attention has been given to the width of streets. There are multiple reasons for proposing 25 -foot streets rather than the city standard width. O Reduces loss of natural vegetation. O Traffic goes slower on narrower streets, increasing safety for drivers and pedestrians. O Decreases the amount of snow to remove and store. i Decreases the amount of pollution entering the groundwater system. O Enhances the appearance of a wooded rural setting. ® Is consistent with traffic needs in a senior community. Assuming three trips per day per household, there would be one vehicle every four minutes in a 12 hour day. (compared to 10 trips, per day in typical neighborhoods.) The use of these guidelines has resulted in an extraordinary site plan. This plan offers low density of buildings, designed to accommodate the needs of seniors, within an undisturbed natural setting. McKean Square will be a truly exceptional asset to present and future residents of Oak Park Heights. SHADE© A REA NDtGATE& EXIST!. DEVELOPED AQEA McKean Square Oak Park Heights, MN � _ Residential Architecture A unique site requires special building designs. At McKean Square, the architects have developed an assortment of building types, sizes and configurations to fit and blend in to the setting. This combination of skillfully designed dwellings in a wonderful natural setting will create a very special senior housing community. Accommodations include private detached dwellings, ranging in size from 1500 square feet to 1850 square feet. Many of buildings will include walkout basements overlooking wetlands, mature oaks and streams. Duplex and tri -plex units are carefully located to fit into the exiting site. Driveways are placed to be shared by two units, providing easy access in and out of garages and onto streets, while minimizing the number of garages visible from the street. Townhomes ]E : OlkI r ]E L E ,,. ANON REAR ELEVATION Woodland Townhomes A new type of multi - family structure has been developed for this project. It is a two -story building with units on the lower level, facing woods and wetlands. These units will have underground parking attached to their units. The upper level will have garage and front door access at ground level, with the living areas overlooking the woods and wetlands. ift 1 III! , • � •:gRONT 1 111 II1Ii1111111111 IIIIlIll1l The "Brownstone FIat" building will be two stories in height with underground parking and elevator access. The exterior will give the appearance of two story row houses with front doors and porches at ground level. The traditional exterior will be accented with stone, columns, balcony railings and appropriate architectural details. The building is nestled around a cluster of mature oak trees, adjacent to wooded wetlands and a stream. • h 1 1111,11!,1111H111011 Brownstone Flats 1 11 111 11 1111 151111111 11 1111111111111111 lif ` 111.11.1 .I111I 1 ELE'VP.:T.ION 111 11111 1. ,, �EI111IIIII11I11111III( 1111 II ,_ � ft 1111 Landscape The natural landscape of McKean Square West will dominate the visual appearance of the development. New landscaping will be strategically designed and placed to enhance the natural vegetation, which will be preserved. The four wetlands will provide focal points with buildings placed to view the natural ponds. The wetlands will be preserved to maintain their natural vegetation. A stream will be created to connect two wetlands with a new pond. Water will be pumped to the upper wetland to maintain the water flow and to maintain the natural water levels. Great care will be taken to insure that the natural function of the wetlands is maintained. Grading and drainage plans will be engineered to enhance the onsite water features while meeting the city requirements. McKean Square Oak Park Heights, MN Landscape (Con't) Each of the four wetlands has a unique setting. One lies in an open grassy meadow with various grasses and River Bulrush, surrounded by Pine and Spruce trees. Photo taken from point #1 Landscape (Con't) A second wetland lies in a soil depression surrounded by Honeysuckle, Silver Maple, and Red Pine trees. Photo taken from point #2 Landscape (Con't) The third wetland is a small depression lined by White and Red Oak trees on one side, with various grasses on the other sides. Photo taken from point #3 Landscape (Con't) The largest and most pristine wetland, located in the Southeast corner of the site, is a large basin containing grasses, Aspen, Sedge and Bulrush. Photo taken from point #4 Landscape (Con't) Large open areas provide vistas overlooking this wetland. These open areas contain scattered Red Oaks, Bur Oaks and Red Cedar trees. Photo taken from point #5