07-10-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, June 19, 2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Thiesse noted it is a county road and that only the state can change it. Thiesse closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. Thiesse stated he cannot get over the height of the building in the back. Thiesse stated in his view this site is a condominium site and that the applicants have done a wonderful job in designing the building but that the height is an issue for him. Thiesse stated they are looking at an RPUD, which allows for some flexibility, but that the applicant has said he has no more flexibility. Lemke noted the traffic will be impacted no what goes on this site so it is not as much of a factor. Thiesse commented this is the best use for the property as it relates to traffic. Lemke stated he also has issues with the height since it seems to be too much building for the area. Landgraver stated the proposed use does seem to be an optimal use of the site in terms of minimizing the traffic impact. Landgraver stated he is struggling with the height and in his view it is too much. Landgraver commented it is unfortunate the economics do not work for a building that is not as high. While the Planning Commission has always been sensitive to views of the lake and the visual nature of Orono, the height of the penthouse pushes it too much. Olson stated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver and that he cannot support the project. Schwingler indicated he also is in agreement with the other commissioners. Schoenzeit stated when the proposed density is above what it is guided for, it shows that there is not enough land. Schoenzeit stated the height of the building is the number one show stopper. Schoenzeit asked if including the wetlands would help the dry buildable calculations. Barnhart stated the City does not include the wetlands or the wetland buffer in that calculation. Page 13 of 14