03-22-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I- .. V ■./ CITYoT ORONO Municipal Offices Strait Adtfraii: 2750 Kelley Pirfcwey Orano, MN 55356 Maillni Mimt. P.O Bot 66 Ctystel Bay. MN 55323 0066 March 1.2004 John Trautz Reliance Development Co. LLP 1000 Rand Tower S27 Marquette Ave. S. Minneapolis. MN SS402-1327 Re: Stonebay Marketplace Dear Mr. Trautz: As we have worked with you toward a workable site plan for your Stonebay Marketplace proposal, there have been numerous iterations of the site layout in response to our comments. Although the changes have resulted in some significant improvements, they have fallen short of our expectations. This may be partly due to us not being clear or specific enough, or assertive enough, about our expectations, and partly due to the fact that you have chosen not to look beyond the initial concept plan to find the best solution for the site. If the outcome of the joint work session of the Planning Commission^, results inaiecommendationinfavorof amending the Comprehensive Plan to allow the reguiding of the site from office to retail, the next step is to provide a si te plan that makes the most of the opportunity provided by the amendment. The key to this is the quality of the site plan, as well as the mix of uses and the quality of the buildings and landscaping. If we look at this comer and the proposed retail uses from the perspective of the Comprehensive Plan, the mix and layout of uses on this site need to first serve the neighborhood. They need to first be the best amenities we can provide to the neighborhood. By neighborhood we mean anyone within walking distance. This includes the office uses existing and planned along Kelley Parkway, the City facilities, the Orono Schools campus, the new Stonebay residential neighborhood, the Willow View subdivision, and the employees of industrial and retail uses near the site. Although we lotow that retail uses on this site must rely on a market area broader than the immediate neighborhood, retail uses are being considered in this location in large part because d^ey will serve the neighborhood. t^pbonc (9S2) 24M600 • Fax (9S2) 249<#jl« www.d.oronojnn.us