02-26-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 12, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. could go with lower density elsewhere. Walsh noted the City also does not have the sewer and water issues to deal with at this location. Barnhart noted this site was identified in 2008 for new growth. Barnhart stated out of the seven areas that were identified for growth, all were within the MUSA area. Barnhart noted the City expected Orono Preserve to come in at seven units per acre, which actually came in at three units per acre. If the City still wants to provide access to municipal sewer near the lake and provide sanitary sewer access to Area E, the Metropolitan Council requires that the minimum density be three units per acre in order for the sewer to be extended. In addition, the City anticipated the Eisinger property would be developed at 10 to 15 units per acre but the proposal came in at five units per acre. Barnhart stated the challenge is the City's density rate is dropping, which means the City is in danger of not being able to provide sanitary sewer to the properties on Fox Street and other areas. Barnhart stated the City does not want to see high density along the lake and that this project will help bump the City's density rate up and allow the sanitary sewer to be extended to those identified areas. Barnhart stated Staff is trying to add density in a strategic way as well as providing sanitary sewer where it is deemed appropriate. Seals commented the issue is that the City Council does not want to provide areas for higher density. Barnhart noted the Metropolitan Council has to approve the Comprehensive Plan and that he would be cautious about how that issue is raised with them. Dankey asked whether that density number could ever be renegotiated. Dankey stated the fact that Orono provides a lot of tax dollars to the Metropolitan Council should be given some weight. Barnhart stated the City addressed that density number in 2015 and that the Metropolitan Council modified the number slightly. Barnhart stated zero growth is not an option and that Orono has been building 40 new houses a year for the last 15 years. Barnhart stated Orono has growth but it is not at a rate like Plymouth. 18. #18-4002 JOHN PATCH OB/O BERKSHIRE PARTNERS, 2745 KELLEY PARKWAY, CONCEPT PLAN, APARTMENT BUILDING, 8:26 P.M. — 9:00 P.M. — Continued Walsh asked whether the City Council is okay with the higher density. Crosby stated Staff made some excellent points, and that while he might not like it, he is more comfortable with it. It was the consensus of the City Council to be open to a donation to the park dedication fund in lieu of a 10 percent private recreation space. Walsh stated this proposal is probably the best solution to the City's density number and that he cannot think of another site in Orono where a 60 -unit apartment building can be built. The City Council took no formal action on this item. Page 15 of 22