07-10-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday March 13, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. Crosby commented traffic is a major issue in that area and that traffic will tie up all the way to the Narrows Bridge at times and that it is a very dangerous intersection. Walsh stated this lot will be developed in some way and that it is a matter of what is appropriate from a size, height, and density point of view. Walsh stated they all agree there are traffic issues in the area but that Hennepin County will be dealing with the intersection in 2019, with public hearings coming up later this year. Seals stated sometimes when there is a dramatic change, people are more hesitant to support the project and that she does not want the developer to invest a lot of money into something that does not have the support of the neighborhood. Seals stated if someone looks around Navarre, everything is so different and that every house and business is its own individual building. Seals asked if there is a way to make it look like it is not so massive. Walsh stated the City Council can provide guidance on the density and the height of the building but that the Council cannot design it for them. Seals commented if someone is a resident of Navarre, they will see this big flat roof building and that public feedback would be very helpful in this situation to help guide the developer. Barnhart noted the Planning Commission recommended a formal traffic study be done as part of the application. From the standpoint of the impact to the neighborhood, the Planning Commission did discuss that as well and encouraged the applicant to reach out to the neighbors as soon as possible before final decisions are made by them on the sketch plan. Barnhart stated to his understanding the applicant did visit with some of the residents and that correspondence has been provided to the Council. Crosby stated he would like to see that discussion expanded to the residents on Lydiard and Kelly and that it will impact more than the three residences. Seals noted there was discussion at the Planning Commission meeting about having a meeting at the Freshwater Institute with the residents, which would be a good idea. Walsh stated he understands there was some talk about realigning the driveway with the church across the street and then the Council also discussed aligning the driveway with the new development across the street. Walsh stated he is not sure what will happen to the other driveway. Barnhart stated the original plan was to coordinate the Shadywood Villas' access, access for the Freshwater Building and this lot, and then eventually the church. The applicant has talked extensively with Hennepin County. Based on the future plans for turning lanes that will be proposed for this area, the County is comfortable with the driveway offset. Barnhart stated the original goal was to coordinate them all into one. Barnhart noted this alignment does have some benefits to the Freshwater building because that driveway would minimize the amount of parking. Barnhart stated businesses will experience more traffic than a residential property and that Hennepin County is comfortable with the proposal. Crosby asked what the Freshwater site is zoned at. Barnhart indicated the building is zoned B-4, which is office and office related uses. Currently the only use being proposed is office for that site. Page 3 of 8