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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, March 15, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 7 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />Erickson pointed out that directly north of this property is the sugar woods neighborhood, a very high-level, <br />professional neighborhood and years ago he saw homes listed in there for $800,000-$900,000 and he is sure <br />they have gone up since then. The owners are professional people and as this moves forward, they will <br />make themselves heard, he is sure. <br /> <br />Kirchner said to McCutcheon’s point regarding the setbacks, he does have concern over how limited green <br />space there is, with what appears to be potential drainage, manhole cover styles in the back and side yards. <br />He would better like to understand the 10% of recreational space and how that is being accomplished. <br /> <br />Todd Mohagen, Mohagen Hansen Architecture and Interiors, clarified they did not really think about the <br />green space at this point. They were very concerned about the height limitation. He noted they have a <br />surplus of parking because of what the design was previously, so they can take out parking stalls and make <br />more greenspace. In the back, the manhole covers are just there to change the direction for the underground <br />system and there are ways to deal with that, also. Mr. Mohagen said from a technical standpoint they can <br />increase green space and deal with the amenity space in a very easy way. To the architects, the big thing is <br />what Barnhart said…the height. With the sloped roof, in looking at the section that is at the bottom, he <br />pointed out on screen the neighboring houses are to scale, it is setback, there is heavy green space in between <br />this project and that. The scale is very appropriate for this type of lot in his experience. <br /> <br />Libby noted they have looked at some similar projects that are different architecturally but have essentially <br />a compound-type structure. He asked if the architect, in order to enhance the green space, to put something <br />recreational, a family-oriented type area in. <br /> <br />Mr. Mohagen said absolutely, yes. <br /> <br />Libby asked if they have a future vision of screening and tree cover as this is Orono which is a very rural <br />community. <br /> <br />Mr. Mohagen said yes, and that is helpful for the project, to have landscaping around the project is <br />imperative. <br /> <br />Mr. Richardson said on the back side of the property there is a vacated easement for a future road that will <br />not be going in because they sold Cliff Otten the one section of that road. He assumes they will eventually <br />vacate that property. <br /> <br />Barnhart would not make that assumption but said they can certainly look into it a little more. <br /> <br />Mr. Richardson said it is about a 40-foot section and half would go to Orono Woods and have to this project. <br /> <br />Barnhart said not necessarily and it is probably something they need to dig into a bit more. <br /> <br />Ressler thanked the Applicant and hopes the feedback was useful to the project. <br />