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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, October 21, 2019 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Barnhart indicated part of how the Metropolitan Council classifies Orono is as an emerging community, <br />which requires 3.0 units per acre in sewered areas. Some sewered areas of the community are at much <br />lower density and there are also some areas that are slated for sewer at some point in the future. When <br />those come forward, the City's density will drop. An attempt has been made to pad the City's overall <br />density number so those areas can be sewered. The Metropolitan Council has identified a certain amount <br />of growth between now and 2040, and the City has identified locations for different types of density to <br />accommodate that growth. The City does have some flexibility to move density around but that they need <br />the overall density to be a minimum of 3.0 units. <br />Gettman asked what the City's density would be if the density for this project was not added. <br />Barnhart stated if nothing is done, the proposed density would be 4.6 units, but that he has not calculated <br />what it would be if this development was not done. <br />Ressler commented there are a lot of hypotheticals that could impact that density number and a lot of it is <br />being dictated by the Metropolitan Council. <br />Thiesse asked if the cul-de-sac meets the City's requirements. <br />Barnhart stated at this stage it does not appear to, but at the sketch plan level those types of details are not <br />typically provided. <br />Libby asked if this development will also have city water. <br />Barnhart indicated it will. <br />Ressler asked what percentage of recreation is proposed. <br />Barnhart stated the applicants are likely proposing more than 10 percent with the trails, but that Staff feels <br />other amenities outside of trails would be appropriate. Staff is not sure if the farmers market type area <br />would be appropriate for this type of development. <br />Curt Fretham, Lakewest Development, stated he is here to answer questions and that he does not have a <br />prepared presentation. At this point they have not defined the building design and a lot of the amenities <br />because they are basically looking to see if the City supports this level of density. <br />Thiesse asked if there would be a happy medium between 107 to 195 units and whether there is a <br />possibility of having two more three-story buildings on the property. <br />Fretham stated what they are learning from the environmental component of the project is that they <br />require higher density due to the cleanup costs. <br />Thiesse stated in his view Orono does not need the higher density, but if there is a place in Orono for <br />higher density, this is the spot. Thiesse indicated he also has concerns about placing a 3 -story building <br />next to the road. <br />Libby stated based on his experience, some of the suggested amenities are popular, such as the farmers <br />market and observation deck. <br />Page 16 of 20 <br />