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. Goodrum indicated they used the Freshwater building to match this building and that it will have the same visual impact as the Freshwater building. As you move south past the building, the penthouse is stepped down and the building goes down to 31 feet. Goodrum indicated that is a transitional area from the Freshwater into the residential area. Goodrum stated the reason for that height is because the ground slopes 12 feet down into the wetland area. Goodrum commented it makes more sense to use the natural topography and having the proposed elevation than it would to haul in a bunch of fill. The lowest floor is the exposed parking garage, which will have screening around it. Goodrum stated they could bring in a bunch of dirt to cover the bottom two stories but that would result in hauling a lot of dirt into the site and does not work with the natural topography. Goodrum stated they are hoping the height is something the City will not consider to be a negative impact, especially since that corner of the proposed building matches the height of the Freshwater building. Goodrum noted the building is also set back from the road to avoid creating a tunnel effect. In addition, a berm will be constructed as well as landscaping to help block headlights and to help screen the building. Goodrum commented they spent a considerable amount of time fitting the building on the property and have it conform to the natural topography. Seals asked if there is a potential to put a right -turn lane into this property. Barnhart stated the County would likely object to that. In addition, the wetland is also fairly close to that area, which is where some separation would be required. Barnhart noted there is a right-in/right-out at the north end of the parking lot. Hennepin County would like to get rid of that at some point but at this time they are willing to accept that. Goodrum stated the visual impact of the building is focused primarily on the three residential homes and the windows in those homes are faced more away from the building. Goodrum displayed some aerial pictures of the site, noting there are a number of trees on the site between the building and the residential homes that will remain. Goodrum displayed some pictures depicting the view of the site from the residential homes. Crosby asked what the people on the other side of the road will see. Goodrum stated they would see a 30 -foot high structure similar to the Freshwater building. Seals stated the last time she remembered a development being discussed by the Council there were a number of residents who appeared and that she would encourage the developer to reach out to a wider area. Walsh asked if the height of a house could be 30 feet or 39 feet if it was stepped back part of the way. Barnhart stated on a flat roof, Staff measures from the top point of the highest adjacent grade. Barnhart stated the applicant is suggesting that there are some design elements that will mitigate some of that. Walsh noted residential homes would be peaked at 30 feet and could not be stepped back in the front or the back. Page 5 of 8