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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 18,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Jensen stated a determination has not been made yet on the health of the trees and what trees would be <br /> worth saving. <br /> Leskinen asked if they would all be single-family units. <br /> Jensen indicated it would be a townhome community but single families would be occupying them. <br /> Lemke asked what the anticipated cost would be for a unit. <br /> Jensen stated it would likely be four plus based on the square footage. Jensen stated a typical apartment <br /> building would limit the amount of rent that could be charged. <br /> Thiesse asked how the Metropolitan Council will feel about the lower density. <br /> Gaffron indicated Staff has not explored what the Metropolitan Council's feelings would be with a lower <br /> density. Gaffron stated he doubts that Metropolitan Council will be opposed to the slightly lower density. <br /> Thiesse stated he likes the plan but that he has a concern with what the Metropolitan Council will say <br /> about the density. <br /> Jensen stated in his view the proposed density for the site is very reasonable. Jensen stated they anticipate <br /> sewer and water would also be installed for the property to the north at the same time as this property and <br /> that it may make sense to increase density slightly on that site. <br /> Harrison stated they are asking the City to endorse what they are proposing and then they would approach <br /> the Metropolitan Council. <br /> Jensen stated they would like to hear the thoughts of the Planning Commission and the City Council and <br /> that they have a number of items from Staff that would still need to be addressed. <br /> McGrann stated he likes the concept and that it is attractive. McGrann stated as long as the Metropolitan <br /> Council agrees with the density, it is an attractive development. <br /> Lemke asked if any market research has been done on whether the units will sell. <br /> Curt Perth indicated they have not done any formal market research for this particular development but <br /> they have first-hand experience doing similar developments in a number of other communities and it has <br /> proven to be quite popular. <br /> Harrison stated he has been doing a number of similar projects for other builders in the area and that it is a <br /> very strong market at different price points. <br /> Landgraver asked what the apple orchard is guided for. <br /> Gaffron indicated the orchard is guided for seven to ten units with a mix of single-family and multi- <br /> family house. The orchard area was part of the Conservation Design Study back in 2005-2006, and the <br /> result of that study was that some low density should be done in that area, which was not followed since <br /> Page 30 of 33 <br />