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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 16,2007 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#07-3278 John Terrance Homes, Continued) <br /> Tonight's application is just about the comprehensive plan amendment and that more specific aspects of <br /> the plan would be provided in a future PUD application if this application is successful tonight. The <br /> application would be for a 12,000 square foot food co-op and a 16,200 square foot office/bank building. <br /> Some of the other plan elements include providing lot area that is necessary for the proposed uses,the <br /> appropriate number of parlting stalls,less traffic than what was previously approved on other plans, <br /> improved internal circulation and pedestrian access,rain gardens,additional landscaping,and reduced <br /> hardcover. , <br /> Zuerke stated as it relates to land use for this site,the southeast, southwest and northeast corners of <br /> Willow and Highway 12 are zoned and guided for commercial. The food co-op is an appropriate u�e for <br /> this site on Outlot A located in the northwest quadrant of this intersection. The food co-op provides a <br /> direct service to the residents that is currently not available in the Long Lake/Orono area,it captures the <br /> existing trips,it supports the higher density residential development of Stonebay and the proposed <br /> density of and Long Lake's downtown office build-out. In addition,Long Lake's market research study <br /> identifies the need for a grocer to support future development plans and identifies the lack of available <br /> land in downtown Long Lake to serve that need. <br /> Zuerke encouraged the Planning Commission to recommend approval of the application with the <br /> suggested changes. If the Planning Commission has concerns regarding the application,Zuerke stated <br /> the Planning Commission could make the application contingent upon PUD approval of the food co-op, <br /> which would allow the city to deal with future retail uses on the site. If the food co-op is not approved, <br /> it would revert back to office use. <br /> Mitch Cook, Central Bank,gave a brief overview of Central Bank and its operations. Cook stated they <br /> currently have a purchase agreement on the property and that Central Bank has six offices in various . <br /> suburbs of the Twin Cities. Cook provided a brief history of the bank,noting that originally the bank <br /> was a small bank and has experienced strong and consistent growth over the years. <br /> Cook stated there is one owner of the bank,who now resides in Wayzata and Florida but continues to be <br /> active in the Twin Cities area. <br /> Cook displayed pictures of Central Bank's other facilities,which houses the bank as well as other <br /> offices. Cook stated they are ranked 19"'out of the area's banks. Central Bank focuses on commercial <br /> and individual services,with an emphasis on customer relationships. Central Bank feels the Twin . <br /> Cities' economy is growing and diverse,which allows Central Bank to be a contributing member of the <br /> communities in which they are located. Central Bank is very supportive of the co-op business. <br /> Mary Molten,Project Manager for Harvest Moon, stated she has worked for 12 years at Lakewinds is <br /> glad to be a part of this project. <br /> Michelle Krokzyk addressed the Planning Commission on the need for a grocery store in the <br /> Orono/Long Lake area. Harvest Moon has been working on this project for the past two years and they <br /> have found that a food co-op that is owned by its members would serve the specific needs of this <br /> community. Food co-ops are seeing a resurgence in numbers across the country as more and more � <br /> PAGE 20 <br />