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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 12, 2018 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Barnhart stated the City has identified in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that higher density will go in the <br />Navarre area. Staff is suggesting higher density should be put on this site rather than in the Navarre area <br />because the rationale is that this is a better location for it. <br />Crosby concurred that if the City is going to have higher density, this would be a better spot for it. <br />Walsh stated as it relates to Item B, it would be consistent with what has already been approved next door <br />and would be in character with the area. Walsh pointed out if this development is approved, the City <br />could go with lower density elsewhere. Walsh noted the City also does not have the sewer and water <br />issues to deal with at this location. <br />Barnhart noted this site was identified in 2008 for new growth. Barnhart stated out of the seven areas that <br />were identified for growth, all were within the MUSA area. Barnhart noted the City expected Orono <br />Preserve to come in at seven units per acre, which actually came in at three units per acre. If the City still <br />wants to provide access to municipal sewer near the lake and provide sanitary sewer access to Area E, the <br />Metropolitan Council requires that the minimum density be three units per acre in order for the sewer to <br />be extended. In addition, the City anticipated the Eisinger property would be developed at 10 to 15 units <br />per acre but the proposal came in at five units per acre. <br />Barnhart stated the challenge is the City's density rate is dropping, which means the City is in danger of <br />not being able to provide sanitary sewer to the properties on Fox Street and other areas. Barnhart stated <br />the City does not want to see high density along the lake and that this project will help bump the City's <br />density rate up and allow the sanitary sewer to be extended to those identified areas. Barnhart stated Staff <br />is trying to add density in a strategic way as well as providing sanitary sewer where it is deemed <br />appropriate. <br />Seals commented the issue is that the City Council does not want to provide areas for higher density. <br />Barnhart noted the Metropolitan Council has to approve the Comprehensive Plan and that he would be <br />cautious about how that issue is raised with them. <br />Dankey asked whether that density number could ever be renegotiated. Dankey stated the fact that Orono <br />provides a lot of tax dollars to the Metropolitan Council should be given some weight. <br />Barnhart stated the City addressed that density number in 2015 and that the Metropolitan Council <br />modified the number slightly. Barnhart stated zero growth is not an option and that Orono has been <br />building 40 new houses a year for the last 15 years. Barnhart stated Orono has growth but it is not at a <br />rate like Plymouth. <br />Walsh asked whether the City Council is okay with the higher density. <br />Crosby stated Staff made some excellent points, and that while he might not like it, he is more <br />comfortable with it. <br />It was the consensus of the City Council to be open to a donation to the park dedication fund in lieu of a <br />10 percent private recreation space. <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />