08-12-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday. July IS. 2002 6:30 o’clock p.m. development and with the City’s support, they would work out the road scenario with MnDOT. Gaffron asked, if the development was forced to move, whether the applicant had an alternate plan or were prepared to lose the half circle entrance. Johnston demonstrated on a separate plan, that without the road change the development would likely lose 8 townhomes, however, it would still have an entry marked by some feature. He stated that he would be willing to take questions, but wanted to point out several elements to the Commission before he began. First, the proposed road widths were admittedly more narrow than the City had suggested, simply because the developer felt the 28’ standard was too wide. He asked if a middle ground could be found. Johnston stated that they would be willing to landscape a parkway, but would like to see it 28’ wide to handle the traffic volume, whereas the roads within the project are shown at 20’, which meets fire code. He added that, studies have shown, narrow roads tend to keep speeds down. Curb and gutter were also proposed for all streets. There were no public comments. Smith stated that the Commission had been presented with two scenarios, along with 8 punchlist items to discuss, starting first with item S, the proposed housing types, site layout, functionality, etc., continuing to item 7, the development of Kelley Parkway. Smith questioned if the Commission felt the dwelling units, design, layout, and overall concept of housing types, at 6 units per acre, seemed to meet the City’s RPUD as they would envision it. Hawn had difficulty accepting the 6 units per acre figure, even though allowed 3*6 units by code per acre, she was more interested in a lower density. She stated that she would like to see even more green space and/or wider streets or sidewalks to truly make this a “walkable” community. Furthermore, Hawn felt that the bundled parking was not sufficient to what she felt the number of housing units would require. She also had concern that cars would be piled up on Kelley Parkway waiting to get into the development. Mabusth stated that she had issue with the loft units. She questioned whether any findings to allow 3 story lofts also cited a better location other than the southwest comer that would not impact neighbors. She had concern regarding the encroachment onto the MnDOT property and asked if others found issue with that. She had no additional concerns related to item 5. Fritzler stated that, in his opinion, the houses were too tight, the streets too narrow, complaints would come fi^om residents of the lofts about the public works site, which was there first, and ftnally, he saw issue with three stories in general. Smith indicated she had little more to add other than traffic concerns. She questioned how having the school nearby impacts the development. Smith wondered if direction could be given that 4>S units per acre works better than the 6 proposed. PAGE 19 of 35