01-25-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 11, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 24 11. #16-3804 LAKEWEST, LLC/CURT FRETHEIM, 3245 WAYZATA BOULEVARD – SKETCH PLAN REVIEW (continued) As to the site density, the property is guided for multi-family residential use in the Orono Community Management Plan at a density of 10-15 units per buildable acre. There is an estimated non-landfill buildable acreage of five acres. The applicants’ proposal does not meet that level of density at roughly five units an acre and would require an amendment to the CMP parameters for his site. Staff has a meeting with the Metropolitan Council later in January to discuss the ramifications of developing properties at lower densities. Gaffron noted the City Council was fairly receptive to the proposed density a year ago. Gaffron indicated he has provided a variety of review considerations in Staff’s report. The Council should discuss the following: 1. The departure from the specific development parameters established for this site in the current Comprehensive Plan talks about two single buildings that are actually multi-family, with as many as two dozen units per building. That concept is different than what the applicant is proposing. At the time the 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan was created, it was suggested that this is not a likely location for single-family homes with a 2-acre minimum lot size since it is located between a freeway and a highway and is also a site that has been used partially for landfill use in the past. 2. The general design and orientation of the dwelling units is slightly different than what was proposed last time. The minimal lot sizes and setbacks as compared to the RPUD standards would indicate the need for development flexibility and would allow the City to vary from the lot sizes without the need to grant variances. 3. In discussing the Phase II multi-family concept for the landfill area, the Council should consider whether there are other desired or to-be-explored for this site. 4. The issue of future implications of developing at densities lower than those guided for in the Comprehensive Plan will be reviewed with Freya Thamman later this month and Staff will apprise the Council of the results of that discussion. The Council should discuss the sketch plan and provide direction to the applicant. Ben Wikstrom, Lakewest Development, indicated he met with Staff a few weeks ago. The plan being presented this evening is similar to the plan that was presented in 2014, with a few minor tweaks and changes. Wikstrom stated the reason they did not come back right away was so they could implement the suggestions the Council made last time and conduct soil borings. Wikstrom stated they have also been working with the EPA on whether the entire site could be developed and discussing whether the utilities could be extended with City Staff. Wikstrom stated they have closed on the property and are ready to proceed forward with development of the site. The Phase 1 portion consists of 27 units, single-family. Phase 2 is the remainder of the site. Wikstrom noted the City’s Comprehensive Plan did not identify that portion of the site for any specific use and that they have attempted to come up with a building that would meet the parameters that were shown in the Comprehensive Plan as far as footprint size, density, and height.