03-29-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 8, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 23 development of this project, Staff identified 4-5 foundational issues, one of those being the access. This area, when the Fire Station was developed, anticipated access to these properties via Redinger Drive, the public road south of the Fire Station, which would require an easement or some sort of access through the City property. The Planning Commission was not supportive of that and suggested that an access off Willow Drive would be appropriate; initially Staff had some concerns from a sight visibility issue and a safety perspective. The Applicant and the City Engineer have reviewed the proposed location of the drive and can support the location as it is shown. Right now, there are 6 buildings, each have 2 units, for a total of 12 units with a private drive or road off Willow Drive. Staff looks for confirmation on the access location for that. Another issue was the storm water design and storm water management for the property. At the sketch plan level, they do not usually get a lot of engineering in terms of how the utilities and storm water will work and they do not expect that. The Applicant has suggested that some of the storm water management would occur off site and would like the Council and the Planning Commission to keep an open mind in terms of the best solution for the storm water management over the course of the development process. The Planning Commission was reluctant to support storm water management that occurred off site, especially if all of the development is occurring on this property. They did agree to “keep an open mind.” Barnhart noted this project is likely to be developed as a RPUD zoning district and the Council may recall the RPUD requires a 5-unit minimum acre for a lot size, unless adjacent to another RPUD zoning district; then they can kind of piggy-back off of that one. The Orono crossing project the Council just saw is kind of attached to the Stone Bay project so that is how they get by with the 3.7-acre project. This one is 1.71 acres and is quite a bit smaller than the 5 acres, so immediately they are looking at some sort of waiver from that requirement. The other option is to create its own zoning district for this project – that raises its own unique challenges – but it certainly can be done. The Planning Commission was not open to creating its own zoning district and seemed to support the RPUD waivers from a zoning perspective. He wants Council to confirm the use of the property. The twin home or duplex-style development here is consistent from a density guidance standpoint for the Comprehensive Plan, it is right in the range of 3-7 units/acre so they are good from that perspective. The Commission did not add any new design standards. Basically, Barnhart is looking for Council comment on zoning, access, storm water management, use of the project (twin home concept), and the design standards if there are any specific goals in mind for this property. Johnson asked if it is in RR1B zoning district. Barnhart believes so. Seals asked if it is the 3-10 units/acre. Barnhart said the land use guidance is 3-10 units/acre. Seals asked how m any acres are there. Barnhart replied 1.71 acres. Johnson asked what can be done in RR1B. Barnhart answered RR1B is basically single-family homes; there are other uses but they certainly cannot go to this level of density. That is why they are looking to change the zoning district.