01-20-2009 Planning Commission Packet

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� 7 #09-3393 875 Wayzata Boulevard January 14,2009 Page 8 � The proposed senior assisted living facility will fill a gap in the senior "continuum of care" opportunities available within Orono. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . defines `continuum of care' as the entire spectrum of specialized health, rehabilitative, and residential serv'ices available to the frail and chronically ill. The services focus on the social, residential, rehabilitative and supportive needs of individuals as well as needs that are essentially medical in nature. V�hile Orono Woods focuses on the iridependent seniors who remain active � . with a high level of mobility (many have cars), Comforts of Home will primarily serve those seniors who need significant levels of health care or assistance and are minimally mobile. . Proximity to Municipal Sewer. The property was added to the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) in 1987-88 as part of Comp Plan Axnendment No. 2 pursuant to the Highway 12 Corridor Study. The inclusion was based to�a great extent on the site limitations for on-site systems (septic and well) and the potential proximity to municipal sewer and water from the City of Long Lake. - As was the case with the Orono Villas projeot, development as proposed would require the � - extension of urban services to the site, including municipal sewer and water. Plans were drawn up and approved for Orono Villas to extend sewer and water to the site from the new Wayzata Public Works facility rather than under the Luce Line from Long Lake, but that utility � construction has not proceeded. ' Discussions with the City Engineer and Public Works staff have concluded that this site should . be served with sewer via a privately-owned and maintained grinder station that will discharge to - a force main extending southeastward to the Wayzata sewer system. Development of a gravity sewer rather than a pressure system is complicated by potential construction and elevation conflicts due to the proposed "roundabout" at the intersection of Old Wayzata Boulevard and Old Hwy 12 (see below). Sewer connection to the Long Lake system is not an acceptable option. Orono is still working with Wayzata to finalize joint sewer and water agreement for this extension. . Proximitv to Existing Urban Services. The pr.operty is more than one mile from the urban services considered in the 2000-2020 CMP as critical to development of higher density housing, such as nearby commercial uses (retail and service uses) and public transportation. Walkability to such services was also considered in establishing the areas for higher density housing. The applicants have indicated that proximity to urban services and public transportation are not factors affecting the proposed assisted living facility. � Proximitv to Existin� Transportation Corridors; Site Access. The property is sandwiched between old Highway 12 (Wayzata Boulevard) and the new Highway 12 freeway comdor, separated from the adjacent single-family neighborhood in Long Lake by the Luce Line Trail which looks down on the site. Access to the property is solely from Wayzata Boulevard via a long driveway at the SE corner of the site, in order to allow for adequate sight distance from the Luce Line Bridge. Access to the site makes use of turn lanes, and was difficult at certain times due to traffic levels prior to the recent opening of the new Highway 12 corridor.