10-21-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 21,2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#14) #02-2840 DAHLSTROM DEVELOPMENT LLC, 2550 KELLEY PARKWAY, Continued Gaffron began with a brief overview of the eight topics that the Planning Commission was requested to review in order to make recommendations to the Council. The eight issues were as follows: 1) Acceptability of site layout 2) Acceptability of building styles and proposed materials and color palettes 3) Acceptability of provisions for pedestrian circulation, accessibility, and connectivity 4) Acceptability of recreation amenities, both private and public 5) Recommendations on site lighting as well as Kelley Parkway streetscape and lighting 6) Acceptability of overall landscape plan 7) Recommendations regarding housing affordability 8) Recommendations regarding development covenants The Planning Commission was encouraged to identify any further issues and recommend revisions or changes as they saw fit. Gaffron noted that the applicants have requested that the Planning Commission make their recommendation to Council for Council action on November 12 in order to meet the applicant's schedule. Once again, Gaffron stated that any recommendation for approval should include a recommendation that the applicants work with staff to resolve outstanding engineering and other related issues noted in the memo or those that come to light in the future. Gaffron pointed out that both Tom Kellogg and Shelly Johnson, of Bonestroo were present to provide comment on engineering issues and the traffic study. With regard to streets and trails, Gaffron stated that there were minor revisions for discussion, he pointed out that there was a separate entrance and exit road at the main entrance, a circular structure in the middle of the development, a new southeast end access for emergency vehicles, and that the suggested 15' separation between loft buildings had been achieved for the most part. He maintained that further discussion would be needed to address the consolidation of the loft accesses. While they were still working on specific engineering issues, the Fire Marshall did not have too many concerns other than tweaking hydrant locations. As indicated in the staff memo, and after speaking to Consultant Case, Gaffron stated that Case's feeling was that this was a nice landscape plan, which exceeds the general requirements. Since the Commission was familiar with the application, Chair Smith suggested that rather than have Gaffron review the entire staff memo, he take questions with regard to each issue. Chair Smith stated that she was pleased with the plan and asked Johnston if he could identify any similar housing units elsewhere, that she could preview as representative of Dahlstrom's work or others. John Hassler, of Dahlstrom Development, maintained that there would be a variety of different scenarios within the development, and not strictly one color palette or style to choose from. Page 20