01-17-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday,January 17, 2001 (#2640/2641 Orono Amber, Continued) or the proposed new Comprehensive Plan. Weinberger indicated the subject parcel was platted as Outlot F. The parcel being immediately to the south of the Sugarwoods residential development. It was intended at the time this property was developed that it would need to be replatted to a buildable lot status. The City of Orono has been looking for a development that would be compatible with the surrounding properties,the residential to the north and commercial uses to the south. The Applicant is proposing to rezone the property from B-1 to B-6 and RPUD. The rezoning would be a down-zoning of the property,with the lot containing the senior housing building being rezoned to the RPUD District, and the property to the west being rezoned to B-6, which would allow general office type uses. Weinberger stated the senior building is located with the majority of the building towards the southern portion of the lot. The building is a three story building which will be platted as separate condominiums and owned by a non-profit organization. The portion of the building located closest to the residential area will be a two-story structure. The intent of the RPUD District is to provide housing to meet lifecycle and affordable and moderate cost housing needs. With this type of housing, it may require the buildings to exceed the 30 feet maximum height standard that applies to single family residential homes and office buildings. Weinberger stated the proposed office building would consist of two stories with approximately 23,000 square feet of gross floor space. Also being proposed under the building is a 21 stall underground parking area. The building is designed to step down from a two-story structure to one story immediately adjacent to the Sugarwoods neighborhood. Weinberger indicated the general concept approval that is being requested this evening is required as part of the Highway 12 PUD and the rezoning. General concept approval is similar to preliminary plat approval. The City will not approve the preliminary plat until sometime later in the application process because the developer of this particular development is seeking financial assistance from the City,with the TIF revenues being utilized to help offset some of the costs of development, landscaping, roadways,trails,and to help keep the costs affordable. Weinberger stated the primary change between this plan and the original plan consists of a trail connection that would be made through the property eventually connecting out to the east side. The trail connection is important because of the type of use within the building. Weinberger noted a City trail also exists in this area located north and south along Brown Road, with the proposed trail ultimately connecting to the regional trail system. Weinberger stated Lot 1 consists of 2.7 acres, which is designated for the office building, and Lot 2 consists of 4 acres designated for the senior housing facility. Weinberger stated if the Planning Commission should recommend approval of the general concept, Staff would prepare a resolution defining all the necessary requirements that would need to be met by the developer prior to final approval. PAGE 17