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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 15,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 6. Staff recommends that a 10-foot trail easement be retained along the south boundary of the <br /> property. Should this developer be committed to establishing a trail along Wayzata Boulevard <br /> with a connection northward along the west end of the pond? <br /> 7. The conceptual landscaping layout does not provide any buffering from Wayzata Boulevard. The <br /> Planning Commission should discuss whether such buffering is needed from a visual perspective <br /> from off site or from a perspective of the occupants of the building. <br /> Gaffron noted the Planning Commission should provide the developer with an overview of the pertinent <br /> City ordinances and how they affect the proposed plat as well as discuss the strengths and weaknesses of <br /> the proposal. <br /> Leskinen asked if Staff has received any feedback from the public even though it was not published for a <br /> public hearing. <br /> Gaffron indicated the City did receive one comment today. <br /> Ashish Aggarwal,Applicant, stated they have owned this site for over two years and that they have <br /> explored a number of ways to develop the site. Aggarwal stated currently there is absolutely no market <br /> for any commercial on this site and that commercial tends to concentrate in the Wayzata area since those <br /> businesses can draw from the surrounding areas. <br /> Aggarwal stated people are looking for senior housing in Orono and that the people who currently live in <br /> Orono want to stay in Orono but they lack senior housing. Aggarwal stated they need to have a certain <br /> number of units in order to make the development feasible but that they do not believe they will require a <br /> third story. Aggarwal indicated a facility consisting of 70 units is a perfect size to operate and that there <br /> is some room to expand on the side if necessary. <br /> Aggarwal stated they also have the 10 percent recreation space available on the site,they are open to the <br /> fees, and any recommendations for the landscaping. <br /> Aggarwal stated there have been comments made about how various commitments are not being done at <br /> Stonebay. Aggarwal indicated they have had several conversations with the architect and the <br /> homeowners association but that he feels the association attempts to blackmail them on a lot of aspects. <br /> Aggarwal stated they are working diligently to address those concerns and that they are spending money <br /> out of their own pockets to do that. Aggarwal stated he is not sure if it is a difference of opinion or <br /> perception but that people sometimes feel developers have deep pockets and can do anything. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the only piece might be the 50-foot setback and making adjustments to the building to <br /> meet that. <br /> Viren Gori, Architect, stated the 50-foot setback is not an issue. Gori indicated the pavilion on the east <br /> end will be an amenity for the entire neighborhood and that it ties in well with the City trail that goes right <br /> by there. Gori stated the western half is the memory care and assisted living wing and that they can move <br /> that up another 20 feet and meet the setback. <br /> Gori indicated he has worked on other similar projects throughout the country and that what he has found <br /> is that senior housing is now going into semi-urban areas but not into rural areas. Gori stated most of the <br /> senior housing facilities will actually trigger a commercial boom since they add to the density. <br /> Page 17 of 21 <br />