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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEEETING <br /> Monday, September 19,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Bohl stated the building that is closest to North Shore Drive is a 3-story condominium building. The first <br /> floor consists of at-grade parking, with two stories of 10 units each above that. In front of that <br /> condominium building toward the lake are six townhome style homes and one detached unit. Bohl noted <br /> they are trying to maintain a significant buffer between the lake and the townhomes,with the <br /> development being layered back up to North Shore Drive. <br /> Bohl noted the uses around the site currently are primarily residential single-family with the exception of <br /> one twin home directly to the west. Because of the topography and the soil conditions,the townhome <br /> style is slab on grade, one level living. <br /> Bohl stated they would be reducing the number of dock slips on the property by approximately 50 <br /> percent,with the intent for each unit owner to have one dock slip. Bohl stated in his view the impact will <br /> be significantly less use during the summer than what is currently there. Bohl indicated they also have <br /> had preliminary discussions with Hennepin County regarding turn lanes and access points, which needs to <br /> be pursued further. <br /> Gaffron noted under the City's Shoreland Ordinance,the first 250 feet is not to be used for RPUD. In this <br /> case the Shoreland Ordinance also talks about tiering,which determines how many lakeshore lots there <br /> would be based on the underlying zoning. In this case,based on current zoning,the developer would end <br /> up with very few lots under current zoning and this proposal would require rezoning. Gaffron stated the <br /> information on the overhead is specifically geared towards helping to illustrate that the Shoreland <br /> Ordinances under a 'h acre zoning similar to the properties to the west would allow them just three units <br /> on the entire site. <br /> Bohl commented this development does not fit within the box and is a higher density property located on <br /> an aged commercial site,but that does not mean it is a bad plan. Bohl stated in their opinion it will <br /> absolutely meet market demand for people who would like to live next to the lake. Bohl stated he hopes <br /> to get some direction from the City to see whether they are interested in seeing this in Orono. <br /> Thiesse stated in his view the residents are probably ready for it but that the City may not be ready for it. <br /> Schoenzeit commented the City had a hard time putting three or four units per acre on a dump site and <br /> that this is roughly seven units an acre on the lake. Schoenzeit stated the development looks cool and will <br /> probably sell well but that it will probably be an uphill battle. Schoenzeit stated he is not sure what the <br /> neighbors will say about it. <br /> Bohl stated he is not sure if there is a way to move the discussion forward. Bohl indicated they have not <br /> met with any of the neighbors yet and that is always an issue. Bohl stated they do not know what kind of <br /> feedback they will get until they try and whether there will be a tremendous amount of opposition. Bohl <br /> asked if the City would be ready to take the next step if they can show there is a demand and not an <br /> opposition by the community. <br /> Thiesse stated the people on the lake will probably say they want the marina to stay. Thiesse stated the <br /> standards are fairly low for this site currently and that he knows the developer will have higher standards <br /> but that this might be a bit too much all at once. <br /> Page 19 of 23 <br />