12-14-2015 Councill Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 23, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 25 of 41 Wasmoen stated they have looked at how much area on the site would be protected in terms of tree coverage. The sketch plan shows the undisturbed conservation zone, which stretches from Lund’s along Kelly Avenue. There would be a pedestrian path that allows the neighbors to gain access to the public beach further down on Kelly Avenue. Wasmoen stated there would be no other access to Kelly Avenue. The hammerhead would be minimized as much as possible but currently it is 75 feet from the end of the property line. The ravine would be undisturbed and the dashed lines show the areas where the construction would be. Wasmoen stated they are attempting to not disturb as much of the lot as possible around the home pads. Wasmoen noted the home pads will change shape slightly as they work on the plan. Wasmoen indicated they will work around the existing vegetation as much as possible and that they have almost doubled the size of the conservation zone. In addition, two homes were removed, and instead of having six homes facing Kelly, there are only four. The homes are still grouped down on the one end to help retain a large amount of vegetation but the sites have been opened up slightly. Wasmoen stated the lot width has been increased from 40 feet to 45 feet without changing the proposed size of the homes. Wasmoen stated given the fact that they are maintaining the conservation easement in addition to as much of the vegetation as possible, which will prevent these four homes from impacting the view from Kelly. Wasmoen noted they will not be adding traffic onto Kelly and that they will be in control of all water runoff on the site through rain gardens that will hold the water and direct it the appropriate way. Wasmoen stated after hearing some of the conversation from the previous meeting, he would like to note that any construction traffic that will happen will come off of Shadywood and not impact any of the residents on Kelly Avenue. Wasmoen indicated he also had a conversation with Hennepin County regarding the access point and part of the development cost would be to improve that access point basically from the intersection at least down to this site in terms of widening the road and creating an additional area for traffic control. Wasmoen stated they are hoping to create a memorable development that will be attractive to empty nesters and families. The homes will have living space that includes a master bedroom on the first floor for the empty nesters and the two-story homes would have additional bedrooms and/or a family room for families. Wasmoen noted the actual homes have not been designed yet but that they would set in place design guidelines that would help create a cohesive neighborhood. Wasmoen noted he has provided some photographs from an area of Orono and other architects who do this kind of home in the area. Wasmoen stated in their view this development is very much in keeping with the overall quality level of homes that are built throughout Orono and Navarre. McMillan asked if the first row of homes on Shadywood will be on top of the ridge. Wasmoen stated they have not done much engineering on the site yet, but their civil engineer has indicated he does not have a problem with the slope and fitting the homes in there. McMillan asked if it will be rain gardens or whether a storm water pond would need to be put in there for that type of density.