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Concept Review— Narrative — EISINGER FLATS <br /> D. Description of Eisinger Flats —Apartment/ Sr. Living Building <br /> We are proposing to develop the north phase of the overall project into"Eisinger Flats"which <br /> will be an Apartment/Sr. Living Building. The building, as proposed,would be situated on the <br /> site to blend into the existing topography of the property while being respectful of the wetland <br /> buffers as set forth in the approvals of Eisinger Meadows. The building would be a <br /> combination of brick and cement board panels and siding with a shallow roofline, generally as <br /> depicted in the concept elevations shown in Exhibit A. These building elevations are one in the <br /> same used for our previous proposal of the south parcel,with the concept amenity ideas from <br /> the Concept Sketch Plan to be incorporated in the design after initial approval of this review. <br /> If the council is accepting,we would like to propose both indoor and outdoor recreational <br /> areas as well as a perimeter trail with passive seating areas to enjoy the natural amenities of <br /> the site, including the wetlands on the south. <br /> The placement of the building will provide a buffer for some recreational areas and potential <br /> future development. Care will be taken with final placement and preservation of existing <br /> natural screening to provide the City of Orono with an aesthetically pleasing entrance from <br /> Wayzata Blvd. Architecturally,we are proposing a lower roofline to minimize the building <br /> massing. However,we would also consider a flat roof on the project with opportunity for a <br /> conceptual mid-level roof amenity as shown in the Concept Sketch Plan. With the lower roof <br /> type proposed, along with the setback and buffering,the proposed structure will allow building <br /> height requirements to be met. Due to the topography as well as being environmentally <br /> sensitive,we are proposing the three-story structure which will minimize the footprint and <br /> maximize the buffer to the wetlands. <br /> With this proposal,the total number of units proposed is 158 units with an overall gross <br /> density is 5.18 units per acre in the first phase. The net density(net of wetlands and outlots) <br /> at approximately 23.94 units per acre. <br /> Per the conclusions in the above-mentioned resolution for the Eisinger Meadows project,the <br /> property was originally guided for Low Density Residential. As discussed with staff,we would <br /> request to re-guide this property for High Density Residential. See below for additional <br /> discussion on background and density. <br /> E. Excerpts from Resolution 6655 <br /> Based on the previous approval and site characteristics,we believe this proposed <br /> development will provide the City of Orono with not only a tremendous addition to the City, but <br /> meet Metropolitan Council goals by guiding carefully selected parcels at densities to meet the <br /> City's required overall development density of at least 3 units per acre. The following are <br /> found within the Resolution 6655 which support this north phase proposal: <br /> Rationale for density increase: Within the FINDINGS, paragraph A.4—"The rationale for the <br /> density increase at this site was primarily the location sandwiched between two high-traffic <br /> roadways,the potential availability of municipal utility services; and the remote location from <br /> single family residential development". <br /> Metropolitan Council Goals: Within FINDINGS, Paragraph A.5—"In part the density increase <br /> was established to meet Metropolitan Council goals by guiding carefully-selected parcels at <br /> densities that would potentially allow for more affordable housing options. Met Council <br /> guidelines require an overall new development density of at least 3 units per acre. In order to <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br />