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MINUTES OF THE <br />OKONO CITY COUNC IL MEETING <br />Monday, February 14, 2005 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />(#05-3080 Interspace West, C'onlinucd) <br />Carlson stated the baek of the site abutting the residential neighborluM)d \v«)uld consist of four-foot berm <br />tiers, resulting in a gradual berm, with plantings being proposed for the berm. <br />McMillan inquired how close the nearest house would be. <br />Carlson indicated it would be approximately 200 feet. Carlson .stated the monument sign would consist of <br />rock built into a metal grid 19 feel in length and five feet in height for a total of IW square feet. <br />Philip Carlson addressed the City f’ouncil regarding the market analysis conducted by Interspace-West, <br />which shows a need for of fice .space in this area. Carlson stated in their view' a project of this t>pc can be <br />successful in tlic Orono'Long Lake area based on the lack of office space currently available as w ell as <br />the fact that there is not presently office space under construction. Carl.son noted the office/condo market <br />has expanded in recent years and is a hot real estate trend, with the least amount of office condos being <br />located in the west metro area. Carlson stated there is a market for affordable office space located closer <br />to people ’s residences. <br />Carlson staled in their view this project would be successful based on the fact that this is the least invasive <br />on the residential neighborhood because of the concept of Feng Shui. Carlson pointed out no headlights <br />w-ould go into the woods since they are proposing walkouts. In addition, other factors contributing to the <br />success of this project include the following: blwked parking and bliKked trafilc noise, a limited number <br />of units with exposure to the wtHHis. the wotxls act as a natural buffer, retaining wall and plantings create <br />an additional buffer, buildings have residential “European ” look, buildings arc * high-cnd ” office, and <br />local demographic analysis and market analysis indicate a need for this kind and size of office condo in <br />Orono. <br />Sanscvcrc raised a concern that the European look does not really fit in w ith the rest of Orono and may be <br />inappropriate for the Highway 12 corridor since the> are attempting to blend in the various projects. <br />Murphy stated he is in agreement with Sansevere and that the liurojx'an Kuik may not be ideal for this <br />area. <br />Manlyn Milcusn e, 21 10 Sugarwood Drive, staled she would like to have something more traditional <br />looking in this area, noting that this development would Iw visible from her residence. Mileusmc stated <br />.she would also like to know more alxiul the pro|>osed landscaping for this area <br />Gina (“arlson staled the landscaping plan would be presented to the general public in ihe near future. <br />Sansevere inquired whether the applicant is concerned that this |woied would not blend in with the other <br />types of development in this area. <br />f iina Carlson stated the buildings would be screened and clustered l»i allow for integration with nature and <br />that m her view there can be a mix of traditional and more niiHlem looking structures m this area. <br />pac ;e 14