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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES <br />CITY OF ORONO <br />NOVEMBER 15, 1993 <br />• Chairman Schroeder inquired if the proposal had been reviewed before the Council, and Ms. <br />Mabusth responded that the Council had informally considered whether the City would <br />consider the rezoning. Mayor Ed Callahan stated that the Council was not in favor of the <br />rezoning, and that was the extent of the discussion. <br />• <br />Mr. Terry Forbord, Lundgren Brothers, stated they were cognizant of the ordinance in Orono <br />and were aware of the issues. He stated they believe there are reasons why the rezoning <br />proposal should be considered and presented their development team to address those <br />concerns. He introduced Mr. John Uban of Dahlgren, Shardlow & Uban, Brian Olson, <br />Director of Land Development for Lundgren Brothers, Frank Svoboda, a Certified Wetland <br />Biologist to discuss the wetland mitigation issues, and Ken Adolph, a Principal Engineer with <br />Schoell and Madson in Minnetonka. Mr. Forbord stated that they have tried to provide <br />distinctive features in their developments which set them apart from those of other <br />developers in the metropolitan area. He noted that as the supply of available land diminishes, <br />they have had to take on projects that were more difficult to develop. <br />John Uban showed exhibits that were included in the packet and reviewed why they felt it <br />was important to the City of Orono to have this type of development. He discussed the <br />proposed zoning density and noted that while it is not what was envisioned in the City's <br />Comprehensive Plan, there are reasons why it should be considered. Among these is the <br />fact that the school is expanding and the church property has been sold and ballfields have <br />been constructed on property adjacent to the proposed site. He stated they believe this <br />project would balance the residential and commercial areas. He reviewed the PUD zoning <br />designation and discussed the reasons why they believe that a municipal sewer system is <br />needed for development of the property. He reviewed the cluster development idea and <br />stated they believe it to be both necessary and feasible. He discussed the buffering for the <br />project, and the ordinance criteria. He cited the busy roadways surrounding the site and the <br />adjacent land uses as being compatible with the proposed zoning. <br />Frank Svoboda discussed the wetland mitigation and enhancement involved with the project. <br />He discussed the compensatory mitigation for unavoidable wetland losses and stated that <br />they will create new wetlands at a ratio of 2 to 1, which would mean that two acres of <br />wetland will be created for every one acre of wetland lost. He illustrated where the wetlands <br />are located on the site and described the various types of trees and vegetation within those <br />wetland areas. He stated that most of the wetlands have been subject to agricultural tillage <br />in the past, depending on the amount of rainfall, and are not considered to be "pristine" <br />wetlands. He asked the Planning Commission to consider a variance to allow the wetlands <br />to be modified. <br />Ken Adolph, Schoell and Madson, discussed the high water table which precluded on -site <br />septic systems. He stated that sanitary sewer would be extended into the area, and noted <br />that it was reasonable to cluster the development into a pattern which could economically <br />be served by extending utilities into the area. He discussed the storm water management <br />41 <br />