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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, October 16,2000 <br /> • (#2631 Zoning Code Amendment,Continued) <br /> Comprehensive Plan. The amendment is necessary since none of the existing zoning districts <br /> are tailored to meet this purpose. <br /> Gaffron summarized that the residential planned unit development will be strictly a residential <br /> zone and does not have a mixed land use component,although it will allow for various types <br /> and densities of residential uses. This district will contain a list of permitted, conditional and <br /> accessory uses that is similar in scope to that of Orono's single family districts,but will not <br /> include certain of the"institutional"or"quasi-commercial"conditional or accessory uses <br /> allowed in those districts. The sites to be rezoned to RPUD must be at least five acres in size <br /> unless the developer demonstrates the property has certain unique characteristics. <br /> Further,any site to be rezoned to RPUD must be guide-planned for residential use in the <br /> Comprehensive Plan,with the proposed density of a project in the RPUD matching the <br /> Comprehensive Plan's planned density. Gaffron stated currently the City's PUD standards <br /> do not allow any density credits. One of the goals of the RPUD is to allow densities in excess <br /> of the two to six units per acre. Incentives as to density and floor area ratio are possible for <br /> RPUD proposed which the City Council finds are consistent with Orono's housing goals. <br /> Gaffron stated RPUD Performance Standards are established for hardcover, floor area ratio, <br /> setbacks,et cetera. The City would have the option of adding other standards if it deems <br /> necessary. <br /> Gaffron stated the City expects to have an application for a 70 unit senior housing project on <br /> a site located along Highway 12 that is guide-planned for commercial use. The proposed <br /> RPUD District ordinance language addresses and accommodates conversion from commercial <br /> to residential as well as the density needed to make the project feasible. Gaffron commented <br /> the RPUD District may ultimately replace the minimal PRD code section for planned residential <br /> developments. <br /> City Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance to establish standards and authority <br /> for the RPUD District as a residential zoning option, subject to any changes the Planning <br /> Commission may wish to propose. <br /> Stoddard stated he supports the lifecycle housing concept, and would like to discuss this <br /> proposed zoning code amendment further at their next work session. Stoddard stated in his <br /> opinion this ordinance needs to be discussed more indepth and that care needs to be taken in <br /> setting precedents which may permit high density apartment houses to be constructed in <br /> Orono. <br /> Stoddard stated Section 10.33 needs to be redefined in his view as well as Subdivision 5, <br /> which deals with transitional areas. <br /> Gaffron stated the PUD process was created by Planners to allow some flexibility by the City <br /> to say yes or no to certain projects. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission can elect to give <br /> some conceptual direction on this zoning code amendment or table the matter to allow this <br /> matter to be discussed at their next work session scheduled for Wednesday. <br /> PAGE 10 <br />