05/21/2007 Planning Commission Minutes

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� MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANIVING CONIMISSION Monday,May 21,2007 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#07-3289 PRC Development Company,Continued) Aberg stated they are proposing a minimum of three-quarter acre lots,with the remaining land to be held in common with a homeowner's association. When the lots are added up and subtracted from the total land available,approximately 18.4 acres would be held as open space in a conservation easement that would be managed and maintained by the homeowner's association. Also being proposed are building envelopes in the range of 13,000 square feet,which take up approximately 40 percent of each of the individual building home sites. The internal road is proposed to be a private road at a right-of-way width of 50 feet and 22 feet of actual paved roadway. Aberg stated the cul-de-sac is approximately 500 feet in length. Aberg noted there is a potential access point onto County Road 6 but that it is not necessary and would be a choice of the City. Aberg displayed a series of elevation sections illustrating County Road 6,the woodland,the location of the road,and the location of one of the homes. Aberg indicated the home would be set a little down the slope and that the land would be terraced slightly. A slight berm is being proposed along Homestead Trail,which would be landscaped and would help to buffer the homes. Aberg stated the front of the homes would look like one and a half stories but that they need to work with the City's planner on how the City deternunes the height of a structure. Aberg illustrated the proposed landscaping for the site,noting that their intent along County Road 6 is to build up the berm in that area and also have plantings to help buffer the homes. In addition,in the area of the existing pines and evergeeen trees,they would propose a mix of deciduous and other plantings to create a more natural look. The woodland planting would also continue further down Homestead Trail. Within the development itself,plantings would be done in various locations on the individual sites to help frame each lot. Aberg illustrated the area where they are proposing to construct berms in order to protect the development from County Road 6. Also being proposed is a deer fence that would be woven into the woods with a portal into the development being created. Rain gardens are also being proposed for this low impact development. Discussions are ongoing with the Minnehaha Watershed District concerning this project. Also proposed for the development is a community wastewater system. Soil tests have been completed and their engineer is confident that that type of system would work on this site. Aberg stated each home has been architecturally design to fit more naturally into the land. Aberg stated a shared pool for the six homes is possible and that they would be providing ample screening in the form of berms and special planting. Aberg stated in their view this proposal meets a number of the City's goals and helps to maintain the rural character of Orono and fielps protect the wetlands and other natural resources on the site. Kroeger inquired whether the Jamestown sewer project could be extended to service this development. Gaffron stated there are a variety of issues that would factor into that kind of a decision. Gaffron noted that is a pressurized system that is designed for a certain number of homes. Gaffron indicated there is the potential that six additional homes could be added to it. In addition,there is also the issue of whether the City would like to expand its MUSA territory. Gaffron noted based on the Metropolitan Council's calculations for new developments,a development of nine units on six and a half acres would reduce the City's density of sewered development since 2000 from 3.4 to 2.9 units per acre. This would become an issue for the Metropolitan Council,which has been requiring a minimum density of three units per acre PAGE 10