Planning 2012-03-22 Item 4 - Osterly Park Townhomes - Attachment C - Staff Report Dated 11/2/09

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The patterned and colored material used within the shared garage access areas and in between the raised pedestrian walkways in the vicinity of the recreation spaces will add visual interest within paved areas of the project. The concrete aggregate material submitted by the applicant is not consistent with the level of design interest the patterned pavement is intended to create for the project, as shown on the site plan (Sheet Al of Attachment B). Staff recommends a different decorative pavement treatment be selected on as part review of the Public Works construction permit. The location of the recreation spaces in the middle of the site allows opportunities for surveillance by surrounding townhome units. Clustering of perimeter landscaping at the end of the shared garage access areas provides additional greenery within these paved areas, while allowing the spaces between the townhouse buildings and the 6 -foot perimeter fence to remain clear of vegetation for easier surveillance. A draft lighting plan showing very bright lighting levels was submitted for the project. Staff recommends the lighting plan be revised and resubmitted for review administratively as part of the Public Works construction permit. 2. Building Design The townhouse buildings proposed as part of the Osterly Park Townhomes project will add architectural interest to the neighborhood; the design of the structures in the Osterly Park Townhomes incorporates elements of Northwest regional architecture including peaked roofs, large eaves, brackets for roof elements, building modulation for window areas, and use of wood siding and shingles. The scale of the buildings is less severe than the long walls of the apartment complexes adjacent to the project site on the east, south, and north sides. The length of buildings included in this project is at least half that of the La Roche and Samara apartment complexes, and building and roofline modulation included in the design of the buildings helps to further reduce the scale of the proposed buildings. Colors and materials used will be consistent for each building, so that each duplex or triplex included in the project will read as one unified mass. Complimentary colors will be used and varied throughout the site. Additionally, colors, roof forms, and arrangement of materials on the different buildings throughout the project add variety in texture and colors. Variation in the design of modulation forms and arrangement of windows from building to building is also included in the design of the townhome buildings in this project. 3. Landscape and Site Treatment. Landscape design proposed for this project accentuates the entry points to the development, helps to create focal points within the project, including the recreation spaces in the center of the project; and the design works to help minimize the appearance of paved areas, blank wall areas, and adjacent development. The applicant's request to cluster landscaping at the ends of garage access areas, if approved, will allow clustering of landscaping where it can be seen on the site, and where it will help add greenery to areas of the site dominated by pavement. Existing trees, including a Cedar and Hemlock tree in the north portion of the project site, and an Ash clump in the southern part of the site, shall be saved as a condition of approval of the design review application unless there are conflicts with the location of utilities or fences. Recreation spaces on the site have been designed based on guidance provided by staff from the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department. The two spaces include a recreation area for children ages 5 to 12 years old, and a more flexible space for reading, picnicking, etc. Both of JR Pa Lc 17 of 26 11/05/2009 H:ADcsiLn Rcvicw \Ostcrly Townhomcs \L08-076 L08-079 Ostcrly Park Sub livision &DcsipRcvicw SR. loc 45