06-24-2004 Council Work SessionA

Home Browse Search

TO: FKOM: M;iy«>r IVlnson ;iiid C!ouiicil McmlKTs i^ARoil Mooisc, City A(Iniinislnil«>r DATK;June '2;i. ‘2001 SUBJECT: Review of Re-guided Residential Areas nackground At the May 18 work session, the Council discussed the two areas that were re-guided from 2-acrc residential development to 2-4 units per acre residential development. These areas are located at the .southwe.st corner of Old Crystal Bay Road and Highway 12, and on the l*!ast side of Willow Drive, from the BNSh' Railroad to Watertown Road. While some areas of consensus were reached, particularly in relation to the area behind the new l.ong lake Fire Station, there were a number of concerns exprcs.sed regarding the current guiding of the area in the .southwc.st quadrant of Old Crystal Bay Road and Highway 12. riierc was a general consensus that development at a density of 4 units per acre would not enable the character of development envisioned by the Council for this area, particularly the preservation of sub.stantial open space as viewed from Highway 12 and Old Crystal Bay Road, and the preservation of a substantial portion of the character of the Dumas Orchard. It was suggested that it is important to pre.serve the natural, rural, open space character in this area, to rellect the longstanding overall vision for Orono. Tnillic approaching this area from the west passes open space, including l.ake Kla.sscn and the Dumas Orchard. This is the first intersection eastbound traffic will see with significant development. In the northwest quadrant of Old (’ry.stal Bay Road and Highway 12, the Orono Schools buildings are set back from Highway 12 behind the park-like .setting of play fields and tennis courts. I his could be a model for the .southwest quadrant of the intersection. It was suggc.stcd that the natural character of this area could be preserved by making a substantial po iit>n of this area into a park; which could create a gathering place for the community due to it.s dose proximity to the Orono Schools campus, fhe park couid include such amenities as a band shell and a skating rink. It was also suggested that single-level townhomes at a density that enabled substantial open space directly adjacent to Highway 1 2 and Old C'rystal Bay Road could be d«>ne in a way that creates the character cnvi.sioned by the Council, and that mirror.s the setback of the Orono Scho«)ls buildings from the Highway. Coun cil Vision fo r the Area 'riic key issiu’ lor discussion is the (’ouncirs vision Ibi the Old (aysial Bay Road/Iliglnvay 12 area. This relates bar k to what the C.'ouncirs goals .uul values are for the ('ily and for lliis s|>ecilic urea. It also lelates t*» li«»w the ( 'oiincil sees this land l»est seiving the needs of the community. Questions to consider in developing a vision lor tliis area include the lollowing: s I!