05-21-2018 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April 16, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Curtis stated it is currently zoned RR -1 B, RPUD. The property was originally guided for commercial office. Thiesse noted the amount of traffic with this proposal will be less than the commercial building. Barnhart stated a traffic study was not done on this project but there was a traffic study done on a similar project that was guided for office but was proposed for a condominium which found that residential generated less traffic. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Thiesse noted the Planning Commission reviewed this application back in August of 2017 and that the developer incorporated the comments of the Planning Commission. Landgraver stated the estimated traffic flows down Kelley Parkway have probably changed quite a bit given the changes down at the other end of Crystal Bay Road. Landgraver noted the residents that will live in this facility will not generate a lot of traffic. Lemke indicated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver and that the traffic generated from the site will not be during peak traffic hours. Lemke stated he likes the proposal and that it fits the location. Ressler indicated he is in favor of the proposal and that anything else proposed for the site would likely generate more traffic than this proposal. Libby stated in August he heard some of the same concerns and that the local residents understand the traffic patterns. Libby stated this type of development has a high need in the community given the aging population and that he agrees with Staff that this is a lower traffic development than a commercial project. Erickson stated the Comprehensive Guide Plan Committee determined that multiple housing was an improvement over office/commercial and that in his view this is a good location for the proposed use. Landgraver suggested the applicants do a parking reconciliation of employees and residents before going to the City Council to give a better idea of the traffic that might be generated from the site. Sally Novak asked if the front of the building is the north side or the south side. Curtis indicated the front of the building is facing Wayzata Boulevard. Novak asked how they would exit from the parking lot. Curtis indicated people can drive around the entire building, but they can only exit onto Kelley. Landgraver moved, Erickson seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000034, Apex Holding, LLC, 2635 Kelley Parkway, granting of site plan approval, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and rezoning. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. Page 7 of 21