07-12-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, June 21, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 6 the site. The lower the rents, the developer will get stressed, and he asked what will end up happening to this property in the long-term. Vice Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Ressler remembers in the previous discussion of this application a request to reduce the height which they have done. He reminded the Commission that the roof would be higher if the style were gabled or peaked rather than flat; in theory, one observation is that the overall height of the structure could be higher based on how they measure it. Peterson shared he has always enjoyed the bigger lots in Orono and being spread out compared to the density they are talking about. He just hopes they are not trying to compete with Wayzata on structures like this. Erickson noted the first speaker mentioned the issue of safety as it might relate to residents wandering into his backyard. It raises the question of some type of barrier fencing along the boundary between Sugar Woods and the project. Ressler asked the Applicant if they would be open to that. Dale Richardson, owner of the property at 1260 Wayzata Boulevard, noted there is currently a wrought iron fence on the north portion, but not quite the entire portion. He said they had discussions about wrapping it around because the boulder wall is not going to be that tall as they are filling in the lower level where the garage is. He stated it would be very easy to fence that and noted it will be a higher-end project and will have an expensive market rate. He spoke with the new owners of Orono Station and Orono Station West and they plan to have the trucks out of that property by the time this project is complete, and they are working on drawings for a building on that site. He clarified they are happy to work with residents on landscape. It will be a very secure building, it will not be cheap to live there, and they have had a lot of feedback from current residents. Mr. Richardson stated they envision it to be more of a “snow bird” type of place. Libby is grateful to the citizens who feel comfortable enough to come in and utilize this forum. He reminded them that the Planning Commission is an advisory body to the City Council and noted some of the concerns brought up are new and may take some time. Gettman reiterated regarding the landscaping, he is not wedded to the idea of having the patio in the back as it is too conducive to having people migrate up the hill. He then looks to the dog run and wonders if there is a way to partition that off and have the green space in between the two. He remembers talking about if there are children in the area, how to keep them away from the road, as well. He thinks they need something else other than a low wrought iron fence for safety and privacy. Gettman is still stuck on the height issue and appreciates that the architect has come up with the 8 feet 6 or 8 feet 9 and Gettman 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 sure he understands why they have to go over that, especially when trying to protect inches; he noted when they go horizontal the City is extremely vehement about not going an inch to the right or left and protecting the lake, the view, and adjacent property owners. However when they talk vertical they seem to be willing to throw away the inches and he is not buying that they must have 8 feet 6, 8 feet 9 as opposed to cutting it down to all 8 feet 6 to get them down to the 30 feet. Finally with traffic, this particular project is part of a Comprehensive Plan which defines what the Met Council wants which is high density. He