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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 stated the City has the authority to approve a building taller than 30 feet that is part of the R- <br /> PUD zoning district and it is really the Planning Commission's feedback on whether the 3 inch drop is <br /> enough of a concession to address the Council's concerns. He noted part of the challenge is the highest <br /> adjacent grade is at the northwest corner of the building and there is underground parking at the south <br /> corner of the building so there is quite a bit of elevation change within the site. The 30 foot limit is a long- <br /> standing practice by the City and he believes it originated in trying to keep buildings below the tree <br /> canopy. <br /> Erickson asked how the height of this project compares with the senior housing project on Kelley <br /> Parkway. <br /> Barnhart believes the senior housing project on Kelley Parkway is at 30 feet and the senior housing <br /> project east of this project is higher than 30 feet. The City has only approved 2 buildings higher than 30 <br /> feet. <br /> Peterson noted a letter from one of the neighbors objecting to a change in the zoning. <br /> Barnhart learned that just before the meeting and did not receive a copy of that. He is not surprised that <br /> some may object to the rezoning as it is proposed to be rezoned to the R-PUD district which would allow <br /> higher density development. <br /> Ressler said right now it is guided for more density than is applied.He clarified every City in the area has <br /> to obey the Met Council's demands for more density and many cities need to find ways to meet those <br /> density requirements.The City of Orono has done the best they can to maintain the character of the City <br /> but when they have these density requirements they run out of areas where they can do developments like <br /> these. He asked what part of the building, or if it is the entire building,that is above the 30 foot height. <br /> Barnhart replied 30 feet 9 inches is the defined height which looks at the highest adjacent grade(1,018 <br /> feet on this property)and then identify the lowest floor of the building and add 10 feet. So whichever is <br /> lowest is what they pick. The lowest floor of this building is the garage, so that is the starting point and <br /> then they measure to the top of the flat roof of the building. <br /> Todd Mohegan,Mohegan Architectural Group, 1000 Twelve Oaks Center Drive,Wayzata, is the <br /> architect for the project.He noted regarding the height there was a lot of discussion in the Planning <br /> Commission and the City Council and the Applicant was making efforts to get to the height that Council <br /> was okay with. <br /> Ressler asked if this project is able to be constructed and still map out at 30 feet. <br /> Mr. Mohegan replied it is always a possibility but it reduces the livability of the space. <br /> Libby asked the ceiling heights in the interior units. <br /> Mr. Mohegan answered they will be around 8 feet 6 inches, 8 foot 9 inches. <br /> Libby asked if there is nothing from an architectural design standpoint that could remedy the 9 inches <br /> over the 30 foot standard. <br /> Page 3 of 13 <br />