09/15/2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. Fredrickson stated her first comment would be that they would prefer the City only approve single-family homes and not a multi-family concept,which would be in keeping with the majority of the homes on Kelly Avenue. Fredrickson noted they are very expensive homes and pay a considerable amount in taxes. Fredrickson stated she is not in agreement with the way it is written that separate driveways are required for every single home and that she sees no reason why there cannot be a private drive going up to those homes. Fredrickson noted the Locus Hills development in Wayzata is an extremely successful development and that a number of the homes sold for$2 million plus, which demonstrates that there is a way to develop a property without having two driveways for four homes. Fredrickson stated they would have never purchased this house if they thought there would be multi- family housing across the street and that she is adamantly opposed to the design as it stands today. Fredrickson stated a number of the neighbors feel the same way. Fredrickson stated Kelly Avenue is a quiet street and that they would also like to request that some thought be given to rerouting the entrance to Shadywood,which is a property that is owned by Mr. Delaney. Fredrickson stated while she knows that property is currently zoned commercial,perhaps an easement could be obtained to allow a private drive to access the subject property, which would completely eliminate the traffic issue for the residents on Kelly Avenue. Fredrickson stated the proposed access across Kelly goes across a wetland. Fredrickson noted the document in the packet shows the wetlands,which has been expanded from the plan that was presented earlier. The map from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District shows that the wetlands extend from the back of Lund's all the way down the road, and if the entrance came in on Shadywood, it would not have to affect a single piece of the wetland. Fredrickson stated another concern is flooding and that Kelly Avenue currently experiences flooding to the point where the road is completely flooded out and people cannot drive on it. Fredrickson indicated there were homeowners that could not reach their homes for three weeks and that people were canoeing down Kelly. Fredrickson stated she cannot imagine how bad it will be if the lot is clear cut and build these big twin homes at the top of the hill. Fredrickson stated she would ask that the City construct good quality roads so the residents can drive to their houses before they would ever entertain adding another Page 18 of 59