03-15-2004 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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c - Reliance Development Company VIA COURIER March 3. 2004 Oiono City Council Orono Plaruung Commission Ron Moorse Mike Gaffron City of Orono 2750 Kelley Parkway Orono, MN 55323 Re: Stonebay Marketplace Ladies and Gentlemen: I am in receipt of the letter from Mike Gaffron dated March 1,2004 regarding the site plan for Stonebay Marketplace. Although this letter is not an exhaustive response to the letter, I felt it was important to get a partial response to you »oday before this evenings work session. Needless to say, we (the enure development team) arc perplexed. After 5 months of discussions, 2 public hearings with the Plarming Commission and many meetings and work sessions, wc thought we were getting close to an acceptable sue plan The staff report for the February 17, 2004 Planning Commission meeting recommended our site plan but for “two specific areas of the cunent plan”. The staff report made a suggestion abc ut how to fix those specific areas, which wc did. This current lener and associated plan dismisses most of our plan and basically requucs us to begin all over again. Some of our immediate and specific thoughts are listed below: 1. The most recent site plan submined by our development team to the City of Orono accomplishes the site plan goals wc have heard consistently from the Planning Commission and city staff. It has considerable landscaping (over 25*/o of the site plan area) and amenities (front comer feature and orientation to the pond). It has minimal traffic conflicts and it provides for significant pedestrian walkways. It has architecture that is well above the standards you will find in all communities m the metropolitan area. Retiince Development Company, LLP. lOOO Rand Tower 527 Ma'diJette Avenje South Mirneapol s. MN 55402-1327 Telephone (617)338-1000 Facsimile (613) 336-8971