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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,April 16,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart stated with respect to the comments about traffic on Kelley Parkway,the City Engineer and <br /> Staff have been working with the school district regarding the traffic and the road layout. Barnhart stated <br /> he will see if he can provide additional information on that subject at the City Council meeting. The City <br /> Council and the School District does recognize the concerns with traffic backing up on Old Crystal Bay <br /> Road and that they are planning longer term solutions to the traffic problems on Old Crystal Bay Road. <br /> Libby asked if it is possible to quantify the traffic in the area and compare it to other intersections in the <br /> community to see how it compares. <br /> Barnhart stated the City could do that but that he is not sure what that would accomplish. Barnhart <br /> indicated part of the challenge on Old Crystal Bay Road is the turning movements,which creates more <br /> congestion and slower speeds. Hennepin County is also looking at the City to remove driveways off of <br /> Wayzata Boulevard. <br /> Landgraver commented Staff has done an excellent job reviewing this application and they have <br /> identified the ten major issues. Landgraver indicated he is in favor of the project. <br /> Thiesse stated he hears the concerns about the traffic but that it is his belief the traffic is being caused <br /> more by the school than it is by the development on Kelley. Thiesse noted this is an important piece to all <br /> of Orono in meeting the criteria of the Metropolitan Council. <br /> Lemke indicated he is in agreement and the project meets the needs of the City. Lemke stated he does <br /> have a concern with the two massive buildings next to each other, especially since there is nothing on this <br /> lot right now. <br /> Thiesse noted there is a vacant lot to the south,which will help to some extent, but that it will be <br /> developed at some point. <br /> Ressler commented development of that vacant site is inevitable. Ressler stated development of the roads <br /> and other things will come along with that development. Ressler stated he agrees a lot of the traffic <br /> issues come from Old Crystal Bay Road. <br /> Libby stated he is in favor of addressing the shortage of this type of housing and that Orono really does <br /> not have any other places to put this. Libby stated he is glad people feel comfortable enough to bring <br /> their concerns about the traffic to the City. Libby stated walkability to services is important and helps to <br /> reduce the amount of traffic. <br /> Erickson stated last week they talked about a plan for the Navarre area and possibly increasing density in <br /> that area. Erickson stated if you compare the kind of traffic problems they have in that area to the kind of <br /> traffic problems along Wayzata Boulevard,there really is no comparison. Erickson indicated he is very <br /> comfortable with both of the projects as it relates to Wayzata Boulevard, which currently has less traffic <br /> than it did when it was Highway 12. Erickson stated he is happy to support the project. <br /> Erickson moved,Landgraver seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000036, <br /> Orono Apartments,LLC,John Patch,2745 Kelley Parkway,granting of a Comprehensive Plan <br /> Amendment,a Zoning Amendment to RPUD,and recommending approval of the Master <br /> Development Plan subject to Staff recommendations. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> Page 18 of 21 <br />