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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, February 18, 2020 <br />6:00 p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 2 of 2 <br /> <br />Gettman asked why the plans went well above the 30-foot height requirement when 29 feet was the <br />original planned height. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber stated that when they moved from preliminary to final, they tweaked the design because they <br />thought it looked better, but were willing to change their design based on feedback from Staff. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. <br /> <br />There were no public comments relating to this application. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. <br /> <br />Ressler stated that he feels the Commission should discuss that the application started with 56 units and is <br />ending with 56 units, however they are adding 2 additional units as guest quarters. <br /> <br />Barnhart stated that it is adding 1 unit because the original approval was for 56 units and 1 guest unit and <br />this is asking for 56 units and 2 guest units. <br /> <br />Thiesse stated that if the applicant came back and stated that they would be having one more two- <br />bedroom unit and one less one-bedroom unit, he doesn’t think the City could even have a comment on <br />those plans. <br /> <br />Ressler stated that is what he was thinking too but wanted to input of the Commission. <br /> <br />Bollis stated that it is an accommodation for guests and will not be used full-time. He explained that his <br />mother lives in a building similar to this and the guest units are used quite frequently and are quite <br />convenient. <br /> <br />Ressler confirmed that the guest spaces will not have kitchen facilities so it is similar to a hotel room. He <br />stated that he thinks it is a nice touch for residents to be able to have these available. <br /> <br />Bollis stated that he is fine with the plans as presented and noted that he would also be fine with the gable <br />on the roof and feels it will look a bit silly without it, but understands that it doesn’t meet code. <br /> <br />Thiesse stated that on the other hand, the Commission is a recommending body and noted that the <br />applicant could run the idea of keeping the gable by the Council for a final decision. <br /> <br />Libby stated that he had just noticed something or he would have asked the question of staff earlier. He <br />stated that he liked the original idea of there being an 8-foot bituminous trail and sees a comment where it <br />says “not necessary” and asked what that means. <br /> <br />Barnhart explained that the City has learned that the Wayzata Boulevard project will have a bituminous <br />trail within the right-of-way, so it will not be necessary for this application to include the trail. He stated <br />that Staff is recommending a connection to that trail from the parking lot. <br /> <br />Gettman moved, Libby seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA20-000001 Weber <br />Architect & Planners, 2745 Kelley Parkway, Master Development Plan, per staff recommendations <br />and conditions. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0.