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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,October 8,2018 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Ryan noted Resolution 6655 talk about the rationale for higher density at this site and included the fact <br /> that this site was sandwiched between two high traffic roadways as well as its remote location away from <br /> other single-family development. <br /> Ryan indicated a minor modification has been made to the roadway. The proposed plan also exceeds the <br /> Metropolitan Council's goal of three units per acre and that they believe this is a great spot to put this <br /> higher density building. <br /> As it relates to building height,the sketch plan does show four stories,but some of the mitigating factors <br /> relating to the height is the topography of the site. The property sits above eight to ten feet below <br /> Wayzata Boulevard and an eight to ten-foot berm around the building with plantings is being proposed. <br /> As a result, people traveling by the site will only see the top two floors from the roadway. The site is <br /> approximately 450 feet away from Wayzata Boulevard,so people will not see it as much as they would <br /> on some of the other taller buildings in town. The smaller footprint is also more environmentally <br /> friendly. Ryan noted they are only putting hardcover on 18 percent of the site, which is a really low <br /> number and is environmentally sensitive. <br /> Barnhart displayed a rendering of the site on the overhead. <br /> Ryan noted given its location,the building will be completely hidden by the existing trees and will also <br /> have a berm around it. Due to the extreme distance away from the road, people passing by will only be <br /> able to see the top two floors. <br /> Ryan stated this slide shows a sketch of Stonebay at the main entrance. At the mid-point of the roof,the <br /> height is 38.7 and the high point of the roof is at 48.2 to 48.3 feet. The height of the roof at Orono Woods <br /> is 41.5 feet and the mid-point is 35 feet. The clock tower is up another ten feet beyond that. Ryan <br /> indicated these slides provide the Council with an idea of what a 35 to 40-foot building looks like. Ryan <br /> stated they are proposing to do a modified flat roof or gable,which would put it in the 35 to 40-foot <br /> range. <br /> Ryan stated the benefits of this project to the City is that the City's overall density increases,the building <br /> will have a low environmental footprint at 18 percent, existing infrastructure in the area will be used, and <br /> the former landfill site will be cleaned up. <br /> Printup asked if soil tests have been taken and what those show for stability of the soil. <br /> Ryan stated the soil borings did show some construction material,which will be cleaned up according to <br /> the MPCA. The MPCA has a formal procedure in place for when certain materials are found and how <br /> they are to be disposed of. Ryan stated a tremendous amount of soil borings have been taken showing <br /> where the material is. <br /> Curt Fretham stated they got mixed reviews on the height at the Planning Commission meeting and that <br /> they are open to dropping it to three stories if that is the direction of the City Council. Fretham stated <br /> they would be interested to know if the density they are proposing is acceptable to the City. <br /> Printup asked if there will be any trail easements along Old Highway 12. <br /> Page 15 of 18 <br />