06-14-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 14, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (15. #04 -3016 HENRY LAZNIARZ OF WAYZATA DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, 120 • BROWN ROAD SOUTH — PRD SUBDIVISION — PRELIMINARY PLAT continued) Gaffron advised that after seeing the earlier sketch plan proposals, both the Planning Commission and staff supported clustered housing rather than a standard lot development that scatters 2.0 -acre lots throughout the entire site. There are numerous benefits to clustering, including reduced hardcover and open space preservation. Murphy asked if any of the applicant's earlier plans showed fewer lots. Gaffron responded that when a developer proposes a plan that meets Zoning Code, there is no basis to require fewer lots but could only make the suggestion. He stated that with a standard subdivision on the subject parcel there would be six lots, with the PRD there would be seven lots. Gaffron stated he did not disagree with Murphy's philosophical concerns but the Zoning Code suggests that there could be 5 -6 standard lots scattered around the site with more hardcover. Other than the visual impact of clustering the houses, Gaffron expressed he did not see a reason to not support the clustering design. Murphy observed that the City needs to be careful to not `codify' Orono into a result that would look just like other communities and not be consistent with Orono's community vision. Sansevere asked if the City has a legal right to tell a developer to reduce lot numbers even when having met Code requirements. He concluded that perhaps the site should have been guided for a 5 -acre minimum lot size to satisfy the expressed concerns of Murphy and McMillan. White suggested that a walking tour of the Fleming property occur to find out exactly what are the • objections to it. White expressed that he was offended by the fact that recurring discussions happen about what is the Orono spirit and the City Council does not come to a consensus. Without the consensus, an applicant is at a disadvantage in trying to meet City expectations. He suggested the application decision be postponed until the City Council can actually walk the subject property to gain a better understanding of the tightness of the site. Mayor Peterson asked for the approximate square footage of the houses. Lazniarz replied an example would be about 54' wide with 1800 s.f. on the main level and 2000 s.f. on the second level /over the garage. Goodrum pointed out that in the Fox Run subdivision there are 1 -acre lots with larger homes and an outlot, with the subject parcel they thought with a few more lots it would have a similar visual impact as the three lots on a knoll, as well as the benefit of preserving the environment. Sansevere asked how far is the PRD from where Apple Glen ends and how far is this from the first proposed house. Gaffron replied it is at the property line and about 500' from the first proposed house. Sansevere asked Gaffron for his opinion on how well the proposed PRD would blend into the neighborhood. Gaffron replied that the proposed houses would be larger than those in Apple Glen, the proposed houses are in a circle, not in a row, there would be minimal visual impacts to the surrounding neighborhood with clustering rather than spreading single lots all throughout the parcel. Gaffron recommended that all stormwater drainage from roofs and driveways be routed to the • stormwater pond by intentional design. He commented that the concern about walk/outs and future Page 17 of 22