07-19-1999 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Summary of Request: The City of Orono has received a sketch plan application for a 58 acre parcel located at the southwest comer of County Road 6 and Willow Drive North. The applicants have submitted a proposal to subdivide the property into 52 lots, with an average density of less than 1 acre per lot. This is assuming the total property.dedicated for right-of-way, ponding and wetlands will exceed 6 acres on the site. The property is zoned RR-IB requiring 2 acres per unit. The applicants request the property be rezoned to R-1A allowing 1 acre per unit density and develop the property as a Planned Residential Development (PRD). The purpose of a PRD is to enhance the appearance of neighborhoods through preservation of natural open spaces and to counteract the effects of urban congestion. A PRD/R-1A development would allow the property to be developed at one unit per acre allowing the lots to be less thw one acre leaving the remaining land as open space by the creation of conservation outlots. The proposed site plan, dated 6/22/99, shows Outlots A and B as open space. The outlots would be held in common by the homeowner's association. The City reviewed an application on this site in 1994 for a 58 unit development. The Planning Commission advised the 58 unit density was not acceptable but would consider a plan for reduced density. The applicant revised the plan leaving the north half of the property at 2 acre density and rezoning the southern half to allow 1 unit per acre density. This plan would have created 44 lots on the 58 acre site. The applicant later requested the application be withdrawn prior to plat approval. Rezoning The proposed rezoning of the site would allow higher density development. Sewer and water are avmlable and the capacity to handle anticipated flows. The property could not sustain a rural style development with individual septic systems due to the high water table and soil types present. Discussions regarding the property to the south have indicated possible townhome units and limited office use along Highway 12 and Kelley Parkway. The surrounding properties to tliis site include the Shadowood Farm development (two acre density east of Willow Drive), low density residential (two acre north of County Road 6), Orono School Campus (Future Middle School Site to the west) and possible townhome/office use along Highway 12 and Kelley Parkway (south). It may be appropriate to utilize this property as a buffer zone between the mixed uses surrounding the proposed development. Developing as a PRD would allow for the creation of conservation outlots along County Road 6 and Willow Drive allowing for the highest concentration of lots being located within the interior of the property. U2505 The Bancor Group 2445 County Road 6 (County Road 6 and Willow Drive North) Subdivision — Sketch Plan 7/19/99 page-2