04-28-2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (6. ORONO MONTESSORI, MICHAEL SURUVILLA, 850 WAYZATA BOULEVARD WEST, Continued) If the property was re- guided and rezoned for residential use at a density of at least three units per acre, with a commitment from the City that it would be developed at that density. Gaffron stated if the property was rezoned for residential, W. Kuruvilla would still be able to operate the school. At the time the property is sold, it would need to be developed at a higher density than what the Council has typically preferred for this area. Re- guiding to commercial use would be spot - zoning and potentially would lead to uses not compatible with Orono's intent for this part of the City. Gaffron noted there are two pending projects that might bring sewer and water lines near the property in the near future. The Orono Villas home development across Highway 12 has approved plans to extend sewer and water from the Wayzata Public Works site, which would provide for potential easy connections for the Montessori site. However, that development is awaiting financing and may be proposing changes that would make sewer and water connections to Long Lake more feasible but would be more difficult to connect. In addition, the City'is also looking at a project to serve the adjacent Myrtlewood neighborhood with sewer and perhaps water. This potentially would be extended from the Wayzata Public Works site to the north side of Old Wayzata Boulevard this summer. An extension of sewer and/or water lines to the Montessori site would then be technically feasible. Murphy asked if the Council did not have concerns regarding the density in this area, whether this • issue could be resolved fairly quickly. Gaffron stated if the Council formally committed to the three units per acre, this could then be zoned residential and it would be brought into the MUSA system. McMillan asked whether the Metropolitan Council has given any consideration to matching the existing zoning and density in this area. McMillan noted this property is next to the Luce Line and that the rest of the area is low density. Murphy asked whether the City could extend MUSA to this property and then mitigate the density by transferring the higher density to another portion of the City. Gaffron stated that option could be explored with the Metropolitan Council. Gaffron noted the City at the present time is very close to falling below the required density of the Metropolitan Council in other parts of the City and would need to have some other areaswithin the City designated higher density. Murphy stated to his knowledge there are two parcels along Highway 12 that are guided for higher density. Murphy asked whether those parcels are in the equation Gaffron referred to. Gaffron stated those parcels are not included in that equation since they have not yet been developed. Gaffron indicated the Metropolitan Council•could be informed that those two parcels are zoned higher density and that the City would like to keep this area lower density. Kuruvilla stated their intention is to continue to run the school for the indefinite future and that he has • a concern about the limitation that could be placed on the property if the zoning is changed. PAGE 4 of 9