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 limestone, rock, and color palettes in the back of the room that accompany the architectural style drawings the Commission had seen previously. Chair Smith asked what the proposed timeline to complete, C5-1, the various phases. Johnston stated that Phase 1, which would include the main entrance drive, and some rambler and two story townhome designs, would be completed first, followed by other phases which the market forces would direct. Phase 1 would likely be complete next fall and the Commission would be reviewing the next phase at that time. Chair Smith asked again for a timeline from ground breaking to completion. Johnston noted that the developer was anticipating a three year build out, during which the loft units could be built at any time, and development of Phases A, B, and C would depend on market forces. Ground breaking would depend on spring weather. Mabusth asked how many units would comprise Phase 1. Gaffron indicated that 19 two story units and 23 ramblers were proposed for Phase 1. Hawn inquired when the trails would be added. Johnston pointed out that the trails would be built with the construction of the infrastructure. Berg questioned how the affordability issue had been resolved and wondered what units would be considered affordable. Gaffron stated that initially the proposal was for 2 condos and 2 two-stories or 3 two-stories, however at the last City Council meeting, the Council suggested that neither of these two options went far enough to accomplishing the desire for affordability. The Council asked that either a wholehearted effort be done to accomplish affordability or they acknowledge that this isn't the project to accomplish it. In order to determine this, the Council asked Dahlstrom to provide financial information from a consultant so that the City Council could consider whether there are built-in profits that could be used by the developer to do more affordable housing within this project, or it might be determined that after all that is put into this development it might be asking enough to be provided with the few units the City has been suggesting. Gaffron indicated that the Council was not eager to waive any fees to help buy down the cost of affordable housing, and because of the fee structure for sewer and assessments there is a $7,000 contribution per unit through the entire project by the City that somehow should be accounted for in affordability already. All of that being said, Gaffron stated that the applicants would be providing more information to the City Council, through Ron Moorse, on the financial mix for Page 22