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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 noted Staff did recommend the sidewalk along the north side of the property be continued to the <br />east. <br />Erickson noted there are overhead utilities along Wayzata Boulevard. Erickson asked if there is any <br />requirement for underground utilities. <br />Barnhart indicated there is not for existing utilities. <br />Neil Weber, Weber Architects and Planner, stated this is a simple 56 -unit apartment building. The intent <br />is to construct quality market rate apartments. Sixteen units will be two-bedroom and the rest will be one <br />bedroom plus a den. <br />Since the concept plan review, soil borings have been taken and they confirm that the water table is <br />approximately eight feet below grade, which is the reason the underground parking is slightly above <br />grade. <br />Weber indicated they are in agreement with the ten conditions outlined in Staff report and that they will <br />add to the landscape plan depending upon what is done with the grading and stormwater. Weber stated <br />they were told in a preliminary sense from the Watershed District that they could use the holding pond but <br />that the rules have changed since the pond was constructed and so they will need to look at that further. <br />Weber stated if the pond is not able to be used, there is an alternative on the site, and that they would have <br />to apply for a permit if they utilize the existing stormwater pond. <br />Weber stated this is a pretty straight forward project. The area of the parking on the west side of the <br />property is owned by the dentist and he would like to maintain the legal easement over the shared <br />parking. Weber stated the only time that parking would be needed by the medical building is at their peak <br />times and the only times the apartment building will need that parking is in the evenings and on the <br />weekends. <br />Weber stated the market is here for this type of housing and that this will be a quality project. Weber <br />stated they are available for any questions. <br />Libby stated he would complement the developer on the ergonomic designs of the floor plans. Libby <br />noted the number of unoccupied units is somewhere in the area of 2 to 2.5 percent, which is very low and <br />makes it difficult for people who want to rent in this area. Libby asked what the market rent statistics are <br />for the units. Libby stated in his view this will be an extremely high -demand commodity. <br />Patch stated they are shooting for the range of $1,500 to $2,200 per month rent. The penthouse units will <br />likely run around $3,300 a month. Patch noted there are no new apartment buildings west of 494. <br />Libby stated that is extremely competitive and that the median rent is $2,000. <br />Weber commented one of the hardest concepts that he has been able to grasp is that there is a tremendous <br />desire in the market not to own a home. Weber stated a number of people want the flexibility of an <br />apartment, are willing to pay the rent to live in a nice place, and that Mr. Patch has identified that as a big <br />market in this area. <br />Libby noted this area is pretty devoid of trees. Libby stated he would like to see some larger scale trees. <br />Page 15 of 21 <br />