04-12-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM Prepared By: J. Barnhart Reviewed By: Approved By: 1. Purpose. Consider and provide non-binding feedback on a proposed RPUD zone change. 2. Background. The applicant is proposing a project that would redevelop the property into high density residential; originally, the property received approvals for an office condominium type project, in 2005. In 2017, a day care center was approved for an existing building on site. The day care center will remain. 3. Proposal. The property owner proposes building a 3 story market rate apartment building. In addition to the 3 levels of residential housing, there will be one level of underground parking. Access to the site will remain as is, one shared driveway off of Wayzata Blvd. The existing parking lot will remain, and supplement the parking provided by the underground level. The apartment building will include 48 apartment units, exterior siding materials include brick, exposed concrete, and siding. Final details of the building design and floor plans have not yet been determined. The attached staff report to the Planning Commission provides additional analysis on the project. The property is likely to be redeveloped as an RPUD, which is one of the few zoning districts that supports the densities proposed. The Council is asked for feedback on the following items: a. Site size. The site is 2.48 acres, and while 5 acres is the minimum, the Ordinance allows for the Council to consider the development as a transition between land uses (gas station on the west, and high density residential to the east, and low density residential to the north). b. Building Height. The building is taller than the 30 foot limit that Council has consistently applied to residential projects in recent years. Applying the grades observed today, the building’s defined height is 41 feet. Applying the grades observed prior to development*, the building is 35 feet. c. Roof style. The RPUD requires a residential style peaked roof. The proposed building is a flat roof. In certain situations, a flat roof may be more appropriate. A flat roof may appear less massive due to the reduction of visible shingles and roof planes. d. Setbacks. If the building is considered 41 feet, the setbacks will need to increase to be 41 feet from the side and rear, or a waiver granted. e. Recreational space. As proposed, the project will not require a subdivision, and therefore, no park dedication will be collected. The RPUD regulations include a requirement of 10% of the land to be preserved for private recreation. The proposal includes space for a roof top deck, but not a lot of detail. The Council may support all, or none, of the preceding waiver requests. *Height analysis for any new building in Orono includes the “highest existing ground level”. Using this term strictly, the building height would be 41 feet. Consideration of alternatives could be considered appropriate due to the RPUD zoning classification and because the site was graded to accommodate the walkout style office buildings. Item No.: 18 Date: April 12, 2021 Item Description: LA20-000053 – Dale Richardson o/b/o CBS MN Properties, LLC 2060 Wayzata Blvd – Sketch Plan Presenter: Jeremy Barnhart, AICP Community Development Director Agenda Section: Planning Department Report