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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, August 14, 2017 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Crosby commented it makes the building more attractive to have some memory care units. <br />Viren Gori stated the whole intent is to provide something that benefits the community and that the plan <br />has been drawn up based on a market study. Gori stated right now there is an extreme shortage of <br />memory care units in Orono and the western suburbs as a whole, which is why there are the number of <br />memory care units that there are. Gori stated what he has done in the past is provide a kitchenette, but if <br />the residents do not want to use it, the range is deactivated. The memory care units would be located in a <br />secure wing of the building. Gori stated they would need to know the parking requirements since the <br />memory care occupants do not drive and that it is likely they would need some flexibility on the number <br />of parking stalls. Gori stated the whole point of the 22 units was to meet the market demand. <br />Walsh stated if the applicant can get the units to qualify towards the Metropolitan Council's density <br />guidelines, that would be very helpful. Walsh asked where the parking is at currently. <br />Barnhart stated there is no senior housing parking requirements listed in the City's parking guidelines but <br />based on the International Traffic Engineers guidelines, the total senior assisted and memory care would <br />require approximately 50 parking spaces and the applicant is proposing 84 spaces, which does provide <br />some flexibility. <br />Gori stated to his recollection, there was a density limit that was discussed initially and that they were told <br />40 units per acre. Gori stated that would give them a maximum of 52 residential units that they can <br />actually build on the site. Gori stated since memory care does not quality as a residential unit, those units <br />could be added to the maximum density. <br />Walsh asked where that limit comes from. <br />Gori stated it was brought up in a discussion with City Staff. <br />Barnhart stated it is not uncommon to have a limit on the number of residential units due to the <br />infrastructure in the ground, which is probably where it came from. <br />Walsh stated if that number is based on current capacity, it would be good to know a specific number in <br />order to maximize the density. <br />Barnhart indicated he will look into that. Barnhart stated every use buys a certain amount of capacity <br />through SAC units and that the applicant may need to purchase more SAC units. Barnhart stated the <br />other side of the equation is the density, which are the 48 units that would be counted towards the density. <br />Walsh asked if they are using the SAC charges that would have been charged to the office building. <br />Barnhart stated it is likely the proposed building would need to pay more SAC units. <br />Walsh stated the City Council will need to know that number. <br />Barnhart indicated he is looking for direction from the City Council on whether they support the proposal <br />generally. Barnhart stated the applicant should then submit a revised plan showing the memory care <br />meeting the density requirements and that Staff will look into the SAC charges. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />