01-16-2007 Planning Commission Packet

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i �- #07-3250 `` � January 1Y,2007 ,,. Page 3 of 12 .Background � � The property was part of a 7-acre tract that was platted into two lots for development in 2001. � The easterly lot (Lot 2@ 4.5 acres) was rezoned to RPUD and is now the site of Orono Woods Senior Housing. The west 2.6 acres became Lot 1, Orono Ambar, a.nd was rezoned to B-6 PUD, � Highway Commercial District. Lot 1 is the subject of the curreiit application. Off'ice Use Approved in 2001. Developinent by Frank Dunbar of a 25,000 s.f. 2-story office building with surface and tulderground parking on Lot 1 was granted General Development Plan Approval in 2001, subject to the provisions of Planned Uiut Developnient Agreement No. 2A. Permitted uses of that building were general office uses including business and professional offices of a general natlue, and inchiding a clinic for human care on an outpatient basis. The building could not be used for general retail use, but accessory retail uses could occur in up to 20% of the gross floor area of the building. - Seiuor Housin�Phase II. Duiibar subsequently concluded that there was iiisu.fficient demand for -the office building, and in March 2002 proposed a 50-unit Phase II of Orono Woods Senior Housing for Lot 1. That application resulted in a public liearing during which the adjoining residential neighbors expressed significant opposition to the project based on the size, orientation and intensity of the proposal. Dunbar did not proceed with that application and sold the property. � Initial Office Condo Proposal. Ravia Real Estate in spring 2003 proposed an office-condo development on the site, with a site layout that included buildings with south and east-facing � walkouts. While that plan was generally looked upoii favorably by the Planning Commission and Council, the applicants ultimately concluded they could.not reduce the ntunber of units or square footage in order to meet the parkuzg sta11 minimums established for their proposed use. Ravia withdrew their application in summer 2003. Amber Woods Office Centre. In December 2004 I�iterspace West filed application #OS-3080, � proposing to construct an office condo development on the site, with surface parking. That application resulted in General Concept Plan Approval (Resolution No. 5296) in Maxch 2005 for five 2-unit, 1-1/2 story waikout office condo buildings. The applicants worked through spring and surmner 2005 to produce detailed plans, and had discussions with the City (at fihe City's request) regarding changing access to the site based on new information about future access points along Highway 12. Applica.iits ultimately chose to not make the suggested revisions to tlleir plaiis. On October 10, 2005 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5387 which conditionally granted the applicants General ,Development Plan approval, Commercial Site Plan approval, and Preliminary aild Final Plat approval for the "Aniber Woods Office Centre". While it was unusual to grant preliminary and final plat approvals on the same day in the same resolution, the applicants expressed a need to move quickly. Those approvals were conditioned on tinlely submittal of required documents, fees, other agency pernlits, etc. The Resohition indicated that all approvals would eapire if the plat was not filed by April 10, 2006 (per City ordinances, final , plat approval is effective for six inonths).