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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,June 21,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart does not know what that traffic is. <br /> Mr. Berg thinks that should be done before they do this project because they are seeing a tremendous <br /> increase in traffic at his medical building on the same street. Adding 40 more units there and with the <br /> other developments in the area, he does not think they can really predict what will happen when people <br /> get off that bypass and start coming into town through his community there. He thinks the City will have <br /> their hands full in managing that. He noted the majority of the development is right in the Ricks' <br /> backyard and he hopes the Commissioners will listen to the concerns of the residents and good choices <br /> will be made. <br /> Chris Case,2100 Sugarwood Drive,noted the development has been there since about 1991 and he is <br /> here in support of everything that has been said by the other neighbors.He would ask the Commission to <br /> consider that the reason he and many of his neighbors live in Orono is because of the low density and <br /> green space in the community. Orono has kind of been defined as single family homes with large lots. He <br /> knows there are Met Council requirements on density and Mr. Case respectfully requests that the <br /> Commission re-look at this site as the appropriate place to meet those requirements,to step back and look <br /> at the families that have invested in this community and if there is a way to move those dense <br /> developments closer to other dense developments or other green space in the community rather than <br /> immediately adjacent to single family homes. Before retirement,Mr. Case was director of real estate for <br /> Target, so he has looked at sites for viability. From a residential standpoint,he is concerned about the <br /> long-term viability of what market rents will mean to that site. Because the site will look directly out at <br /> semi-trucks,gas pumps, and an industrial site,those rates may decline quickly if they struggle in leasing <br /> the site.The lower the rents,the developer will get stressed, and he asked what will end up happening to <br /> this property in the long-term. <br /> Vice Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. <br /> Ressler remembers in the previous discussion of this application a request to reduce the height which they <br /> have done. He reminded the Commission that the roof would be higher if the style were gabled or peaked <br /> rather than flat; in theory, one observation is that the overall height of the structure could be higher based <br /> on how they measure it. <br /> Peterson shared he has always enjoyed the bigger lots in Orono and being spread out compared to the <br /> density they are talking about. He just hopes they are not trying to compete with Wayzata on structures <br /> like this. <br /> Erickson noted the first speaker mentioned the issue of safety as it might relate to residents wandering <br /> into his backyard. It raises the question of some type of barrier fencing along the boundary between Sugar <br /> Woods and the project. <br /> Ressler asked the Applicant if they would be open to that. <br /> Dale Richardson, owner of the property at 1260 Wayzata Boulevard,noted there is currently a wrought <br /> iron fence on the north portion, but not quite the entire portion. He said they had discussions about <br /> wrapping it around because the boulder wall is not going to be that tall as they are filling in the lower <br /> level where the garage is. He stated it would be very easy to fence that and noted it will be a higher-end <br /> project and will have an expensive market rate. He spoke with the new owners of Orono Station and <br /> Orono Station West and they plan to have the trucks out of that property by the time this project is <br /> Page 6 of 13 <br />