11-20-2000 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 20, 2000 • (#2640/2641 ORONO AMBAR,Continued) 70 separate legal descriptions. Under this type of plat,the units would be eventually owned by a non-profit organization and each unit would be rented to an individual occupant. Surrounding this individual lot is the Suganvoods neighborhood to the north. Weinberger noted a 40 foot outlot exists between this development and Sugarwoods, which is owned by the Homeowners Association. There are also covenants and restrictions in place within the Sugarwood development that prohibit the removal of any trees greater than two inches in diameter. Weinberger noted there are five lots that actually abut to this proposed development. To the south is the existing Highway 12,which is proposed to be relocated, and the existing Highway 12 would eventually be turned over and maintained by Hennepin County. Located east of this development is Brown Road, and as part of the Highway 12 relocation, would form a complete lighted intersection with existing Highway 12. Weinberger indicated the City is considering the various methods that are available to offer financial assistance to this project. Some options the City will be considering is the creation of a TIF District for this area,tax abatement or bonding for the project that would allow this type of development to occur and to keep the rents affordable. Weinberger noted the City Council has not made a determination on what type of financing should be offered at this time. Weinberger stated the office building would consist of a 23,000 square foot office building with a 21 stall parking area underneath the building. The actual size of the building is 172 feet by 80 feet,with the 80 feet being exposed to the residential areas to the north. The building is designed to have a step-up appearance to lessen or soften the visual impact to the adjoining area. Weinberger noted one portion of the building would consist of one story, with the • remainder of the building being two stories. One access point would be off of the existing Highway 12 corridor. Proposed landscaping on the site for the office use consists of a number of plantings around the property and within the parking area. Weinberger noted the landscaping could be subject to additional requirements at the discretion of the Planning Commission and City Council. Weinberger stated one setback issue that needs to be addressed further would be the setback between the building and the interior property line, which is shown at 30 feet. The B-6 district requires a 35 foot setback. Weinberger stated another issue for consideration is the height of the building. noting that the building does meet the 30 foot maximum height restriction for the B-6 district. Weinberger indicated the proposed tower on the building would have a defined height of 32 feet,which is an architectural and design element on the building to help break up the facade of the structure. Weinberger stated the senior housing facility has a clock tower on the Highway 12 side of the building and also incorporates some of the same design elements as the proposed office building. Weinberger noted this facility would also have a step down from three stories to two stories, which helps to make the mass of the building appear less. Due to the topography of the land, half of the building would be located at a lower height, with the other half of the building being ten feet higher in elevation. Weinberger noted the portion of the building facing Highway 12 would consist of the three stories. Weinberger stated the setbacks that would apply in this situation are up for some discussion in relation to the RPUD ordinance. The proposed ordinance would require setbacks based on • PAGE 25