01-17-2001 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES or THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, November 20,2000 (l^264<V264l ORONO AMBAK. Continued) 70 separate legal descriptions Under this l\pc of plat, the units uould be eventually owned by a non-profit organization and each unit would be rented to an individual occupant. Surrounding tliis individual lot is the Sugarwoods neighborhood to the north Weinberger noted a 40 foot outlol exists between this development and Sugarwoods. which is owned by the Homeowners Association There arc also covenants and restrictions in pbcc within the Sugarwood development that prohibit the removal of any trees greater than tw o inches in diameter. Weinberger noted there arc five lots that actually abut to tins proposed development. To llw south is the existing Highway 12, which is proposed to be relocated, and the existing Highway 12 would eventually be turned over and maintained by Hennepin County. Located cast of this development is Brown Road, and as part of the Highway 12 relocation, would fonn a complete lighted intersection with existing Highway 12 Weinberger indicated die City is considering the \arious methods tlut are available to offer financial assistance to this project Some options the City will be considenng is the creation of a TIP District for tliis area, tax abatement or bonding for the project that would allow this i\pe of development to occur and to keep the rents affoitbble Weinberger noted the City Council has not made a determination on wlut t>pe of financing should be offered at this time Weinberger staled the office building would consist of a 23.000 square fool oOlcc building with a 21 stall parking area underneath the building Hie actual size of the building is 172 feet by 80 feet, with the 80 feet being exposed to the residential areas to the north The building is designed to have a step-up appearance to lessen or soften the visual impact to the adjoining area Weinberger noted one portion of the building would consist of one storx*, with the icmainder of the building being two stones One access point would be off of the existing Highway 12 corridor Proposed landscaping on the site for the ofl'icc use consists of a number of plantings around the property and within the parking are«i. Weinberger noted the landscaping could be subject to additional requirements at the discretion of the Planning Commission and City Council Weinberger slated one setback issue tliat needs to be addressed further would be the setback between the building and the interior property line, which is shown at 30 feet The 0*6 district requires a 35 foot setback Weinberger stated another issue for consideration is the height of the building, noting tliat tlic building docs meet the 30 foot maximum height restriction for tlie B-6 district Weinberger indicated the proposed tower on the building would liave a defined height of 32 feel, which is an architectural and design element on the building to help break up tlie facade of the structure Weinberger stated the senior housing facility has a clock tower on the Highwav 12 side of the building and also incorporates some of the same design elements as the proposed office building. Weinberger noted this facility would also have a step down from three stones to mo stones, which helps to make the mass of the building appear less Due to the topography of tlie land, half of the building would be located at a lower height, with the other half of the building being ten feet higher in elevation Weinberger noted the portion of the building facing Highway 12 w ould consist of the three stories Weinberger slated the setbacks that would apply in this situation arc up for some diKussion in relation to the RPUD ordinance. The propo^ ordinance would require setbacks based on PAGE 25