04-26-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 26, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. • PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — DENISE LESKINEN, REPRESENTATIVE Leskinen stated she had nothing to report but would be available for questions. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT *6. #10 -3462 CITY OF ORONO, CHANGES TO ZONING CODE SECTION 78 -1466 (ELECTION SIGNS) — ORDINANCE NO. 70, THIRD SERIES Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 70, Third Series, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 78 of the Orono, Minnesota, City Code by Amending Sections 78- 1466(9) Regarding Signs. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 7. ORONO 2010 -2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE — PRELIMINARY APPROVAL, RESOLUTION NO. 5929 Gaffron stated before the Council tonight are a number of requests that have been brought to Staff as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan process. On April 7, 2010, the Orono Planning Commission hosted a 40 public information meeting and open house, followed by a public hearing regarding the 2010 -2030 Orono Community Management Plan. Public comments on the plan were accepted and discussion by the Planning Commission was tabled. The hearing was reopened on April 19, 2010, at which time additional public comments were accepted. The first request is from Robert Erickson on behalf of the owner of 3245 Wayzata Boulevard, who has requested that the footprint limitation for development of that site with multi- family housing be expanded from 32,500 square feet to 42,000 square feet. The basis for Staff's initial recommendation is contained in the April 12 memo, including exhibits. Staff supports the requested density and footprint increase subject to the condition that the 42,000 square foot total allowed footprint area be accommodated in two smaller buildings rather than one large building to reduce the massing and visual impacts of such development. Erickson has submitted a concept sketch suggesting how this might be accomplished. Regarding the proposed reguiding of the site surrounding the Fire Station on Willow Drive, the Planning Commission has received substantial public comment in opposition to that reguiding. Gaffron noted that this is one of the few remaining parcels in the City that would be able to accommodate higher density. The final action of the Planning Commission was to recommend approval per the Staff recommendation and the Planning Commission did not remove that site from the proposed reguiding to high density residential use at 10 -15 units per acre. In the Navarre area, there are two lots that abut Shadywood road that are guided and zoned for commercial office. The property owner has requested that the area behind that also be guided for mixed use. Since there is no access to Kelly Avenue, Staff is supporting that request. • Page 4 of 15