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FILE # 17-3944 <br />June 19, 2017 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />Traffic. The applicant has prepared a traffic analysis, attached as Exhibit D. It suggests the <br />development will generate 232 trips per weekday, 18 trips in the morning peak hour, and 21 <br />trips in the evening peak hour. The analysis also suggests a similar number of trips each <br />weekend day (226/ Saturday, 194/ Sunday). These additional trips will increase traffic about <br />3%. <br />City engineering staff have reviewed the traffic analysis and noting that that the assumptions <br />are valid, have no reason to question the findings. Engineering notes bullet point 3 assumes an <br />AADT of 7950 vehicles/day where the Hennepin County 2016 Traffic Flow Map depicts at AADT <br />of 11900 vehicles/day. It should also be noted that from a use standpoint the proposed <br />residential use will have a lower impact compared to other possible uses such as retail. <br />The Commission should note that the development of any vacant lot will increase traffic. For <br />this specific area, much of the traffic is generated by communities west and south of Navarre <br />(Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Mound, Spring Park) as County Rd 15/19 is one of the few <br />corridors connecting these communities with Metro area jobs and services. The Commission <br />should be cautious in basing a land use decision solely on traffic caused by outside sources limits <br />the use of the land to passive uses. <br />Parking. The proposal provides 84 parking spaces, a ratio of 2.1 spaces per unit. 51 of those <br />spaces are under the building, and 33 surface spaces are proposed. The parking requirements <br />are met. <br />Building. The building is intended as a 40 condominium building. This is a change from the <br />sketch plan and public meetings, where the applicant heard condominiums were more <br />desirable. The applicant has stated that condominium buildings require higher ceilings, <br />ultimately increasing the height. The defined height of the building is 48' 8", though the <br />southern third of the building, closest to Shadywood Road, will be 36 feet in height as this <br />portion does not include the penthouse. The height of the building was a point of conversation <br />for the Planning Commission, City Council, and during the neighborhood meeting. The Council <br />advised 30 feet was an acceptable limit. The applicant has provided information as to other <br />projects in Orono higher than 3 stories, including Orono Woods (4 stories in the front, 3 visible <br />in the rear) and the Stonebay Condominiums (3 stories visible in front, 3 plus a garage level in <br />the rear.) The applicant should be asked for additional testimony to support the increase in <br />height. <br />The building is proposed to be 35 feet back from the Shadywood Road right of way line and <br />about 35 feet from the new side lot line to the north, though this has not been verified with an <br />updated survey/ site plan. Setbacks are summarized in the table on page 3, 50 feet fro the front <br />yard and 35 from the side yard. The building will need to be 85 feet (75' MCWD buffer and 10' <br />city setback) from the wetland. <br />Each unit will have a balcony. The building as shown includes brick, steel, and glass with stucco <br />accents. Care will need to be taken to ensure mechanical units are shielded from public view. <br />Wetland <br />The adjacent wetland is a "Preserve" classified wetland, requiring a 75' wetland buffer, plus a 10 <br />