06-27-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF niE ORONO l»Iv\NNING COMMISSION MEEllNG HEI.I) ON MAY 16, 1994 (#17) #1885 LUNDGREN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, INC., 2675 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH - REVIEW OF AMENDED SKETCH PLAN (CONTINUED) create site amenities. He noted that to change the topography to the e.xtent proposed would be very costly. He requested the Commission to give him some indication of how the City would like to see the open space areas developed. Mayor Callahan stated that the City Council had indicated that they would prefer to keep the density at 2 acres per lot, although they were not closed to the idea of using the PUD zoning classification. Lindquist stated that he was not sure what the right number of lots would be but he would like to see larger lots and smaller or fewer outlets created. Nolan stated he felt the concept of clustering on the site made sense, but he was not sure there should be so many lots. He felt that there should be more buffering between Willow and the adjacent lots, and some combinations of lots that would work better. He felt that the development could work with some redesign. Lindquist commented that perhaps the developer would wish to reconsider the amount of open space included in the plan, because sometimes it was difficult to get the Park Commission to accept it. Chair Schroeder stated he would like to see clustering for this site because it made sense given the fact that it was a relatively featureless property. He commented that perhaps the applicants should consider having outlots along Willow to provide buffering. He felt that efforts should be made to keep as much of the rural character as possible as that is the way that Orono has developed, and he felt that 44 lots would be too intense. He felt that the range should be between 29 to 35 lots. Chair Schroeder commented he felt that the project as proposed would not be compatible with adjacent existing and proposed future uses. He felt the density should be reduced, the wetlands upgraded, and the bike trail installed along Willow and connected to the school property. He felt there were other uses for open space, but was unsure what those should be. TTie Commission felt that landscaping should be installed along Willow and the western border of the property to provide buffering and screening from adjacent properties. Forbord inquired if they could obtain park dedication credit for Outlot A and whether the Planning Commission could determine the amount of benefit to the Community. He inquired if they would approve the development density as proposed. Chair Schroeder commented that parks were expensive to maintain and he did not feel that the need for having a large open space was any incentive for a trade-off to get the 44 lot density. 12