10-19-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 21, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. John Bessesen, Applicant,was present. Barnhart noted in April of 2015, the City Council denied a plat application for eight dwelling units on 3-plus buildable acres. The homes were to be constructed as twin home structures. The Council felt that the density of 2.7 units per acre was inconsistent with the lower density of the neighborhood and development of twin homes on the property would be incompatible with primarily single-family residential character of the neighborhood because of the massing of the twin homes. The applicants are now proposing development of a 24 unit single-family neighborhood on approximately 5.93 acres. A large easement impacts the lot adjacent to Kelly Avenue, reducing the effective buildable area to approximately 4.34 acres. Barnhart noted this is a sketch plan review and the project would require a rezoning of the property. Access to the lots will be provided by two streets with entrances off of Kelly Avenue to the northwest and one off of Shadywood Road. A carded gate system is proposed at Kelly Avenue to manage cut through traffic from/to Shadywood. A trail along Shadywood Road is proposed, as is a path to Lydiard beach along the southern edge of the property. Approval of the intersection from Hennepin County has not yet been obtained. The applicants propose housing in three tiers. Twelve smaller lots, 40 feet wide, closer to Shadywood give way to six medium *50 feet wide)and ultimately six larger lots (60 feet wide) along proposed Delaney Drive and the wetland adjacent to Kelly Avenue. The houses nearer Shadywood will employ rear garages and a shared driveway to minimize garage door appearance on the street. The applicant anticipates a variety of garage orientation for the remaining 121ots. On the southwest side of Kelly Avenue are single-family homes. Lots range in size between 0.9 and 2.9 acres. The Planning Commission should discuss if the lot sizes are appropriate. In addition, the parcel adjacent to Kelly Avenue is zoned LR1-B which has a one acre minimum. The parcel adjacent to Shadywood is zoned BB-4 Office/Professional. The proposal is not consistent with either of the current zoning. The applicant intends to develop the project as a PUD. An analysis of the PUD requirements has not been completed at this point and is dependent on Planning Commission and City Council feedback on the sketch plan. Tom Wasmoen stated after the April meeting, they sat down with City Staff and Mayor McMillan and talked about a plan that would meet the Metropolitan Council's reguirements for density and a plan that the City could support. Some of the other improvements include incorporating the piece out to Shadywood, which will create more of a buffer for the residential area. Wasmoen noted the feedback initially at the City Council meeting was no big houses or multiple housing. The thou�ht with this development is by doing the 12 units, they could be starter homes that would be in the $350,000 to $400,000 range. The more wooded area with the larger lots would be in a slightly upgraded price range. Page 35 of 46