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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,June 21,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> complete, and they are working on drawings for a building on that site. He clarified they are happy to <br /> work with residents on landscape. It will be a very secure building, it will not be cheap to live there, and <br /> they have had a lot of feedback from current residents.Mr.Richardson stated they envision it to be more <br /> of a"snow bird"type of place. <br /> Libby is grateful to the citizens who feel comfortable enough to come in and utilize this forum. He <br /> reminded them that the Planning Commission is an advisory body to the City Council and noted some of <br /> the concerns brought up are new and may take some time. <br /> Gettman reiterated regarding the landscaping,he is not wedded to the idea of having the patio in the back <br /> as it is too conducive to having people migrate up the hill. He then looks to the dog run and wonders if <br /> there is a way to partition that off and have the green space in between the two. He remembers talking <br /> about if there are children in the area,how to keep them away from the road, as well.He thinks they need <br /> something else other than a low wrought iron fence for safety and privacy. Gellman is still stuck on the <br /> height issue and appreciates that the architect has come up with the 8 feet 6 or 8 feet 9 and Gettman <br /> wishes he had the height in his own house. He noted 8 feet is the norm as far as older homes and he is not <br /> sure he understands why they have to go over that, especially when trying to protect inches; he noted <br /> when they go horizontal the City is extremely vehement about not going an inch to the right or left and <br /> protecting the lake,the view, and adjacent property owners. However when they talk vertical they seem to <br /> be willing to throw away the inches and he is not buying that they must have 8 feet 6, 8 feet 9 as opposed <br /> to cutting it down to all 8 feet 6 to get them down to the 30 feet. Finally with traffic,this particular project <br /> is part of a Comprehensive Plan which defines what the Met Council wants which is high density. He <br /> noted the Applicant is coming in at lower density and thinks everyone needs to understand that this is <br /> meant for high density. He noted they cannot just pick it out and put it somewhere else. <br /> Ressler clarified his opinions and believes condensing the height of the roof is a mitigant which makes <br /> him comfortable going to 30 feet 9 inches. Reducing the density from what is guided to what is proposed <br /> certainly helps and is hopefully helpful for the general public,as well.Another mitigant for exceeding the <br /> 30 feet height makes it a more desirable building with more desirable tenants and perhaps better <br /> neighbors. Ressler stated they have had proposed developments that have gone through sketch plans west <br /> of this location in the past and that road will get busier which is something they will all have to adapt to. <br /> Traffic counts are worth noting and he thinks those will be monitored as they see development go <br /> through.He noted they have a shortage of housing in the community for those who want to live in Orono <br /> so this gives some opportunities for families to get into the community they all appreciate. He is for this <br /> project,he thinks it is tasteful, and thinks the comments that have been made by the developer seem to be <br /> that they want to appease the neighbors, be peaceful,and keep everyone happy. <br /> Libby asked to clarify the primary focus and intent of the Applicant's need at this point. <br /> Barnhart stated the Applicant has applied for Master Development Plan approval,a zone change to the R- <br /> PUD zoning district, and a preliminary plat. <br /> Libby asked if the zoning change is still within the guided spirit of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Barnhart clarified the property is guided for high density residential which is 20-25 units/acre. He noted <br /> they do not have a zoning district,other than the R-PUD district,that allows an apartment building at that <br /> density. They do have the R-PUD zoning district that allows them to zone the property based on a project <br /> they find acceptable for that given area.The Comp Plan guides this for 20-25 units/acre and this project is <br /> Page 7 of 13 <br />