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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> McGrann stated if this application goes forward, people might become more comfortable about having <br /> higher density on the Dumas property. McGrann stated he would prefer to evolve into it rather than going <br /> right to seven units per acre right now. <br /> Schoenzeit asked what the consequence is of not meeting the required density. <br /> Gaffron stated it is possible future Comprehensive Plan amendments would not get approved by the <br /> Metropolitan Council. Gaffron stated if the City goes below the three units per acre,the Metropolitan <br /> Council may not allow the City to develop a particular property at a lower density. <br /> Schoenzeit stated if the City is serious about meeting that higher density, part of it has to be a <br /> recommendation to the City Council that they have to accept the next higher density proposal. Schoenzeit <br /> stated the City has to have the attitude that they are going to actually build higher density because so far <br /> the City has not been interested in it. Schoenzeit stated if the City has an obligation to approve a higher- <br /> density development, then they need to do it. <br /> Thiesse asked what it is zoned for. <br /> Gaffron indicated it is guided for seven to ten units as well as the Dumas property. The Eisenger property <br /> is guided for l 0 to 15 units per acre. Gaffron noted there are some properties that could be re-guided for <br /> higher density, which might involve taking some commercial sites and turning them into residential, but <br /> that the City has a limited number of vacant properties. <br /> Gaffron indicated one of the things that was discussed was whether a multi-family building could be <br /> located in the corner and it was felt it would be an oddity in the neighborhood of single-family homes. <br /> Thiesse noted the developer has done exactly what the Planning Commission recommended and reduced <br /> the density. <br /> Schoenzeit stated perhaps the City needs to be willing to look at buildings with higher height and <br /> investing in the appropriate fire protection equipment. <br /> Gaffron stated the Stone Bay Lofts development is similar to what it will take to get to 15 units per acre. <br /> Doing a building or two like that on smaller lots will do a lot for getting the City towards the three unit <br /> per acre standard. <br /> Barnhart stated he put together a model of the growth areas identified in the Comprehensive Plan and <br /> what has happened in those areas. If the Navarre area is changed from four to six,the City would be at <br /> 3.07 units per acre, which is slightly above the three units per acre threshold. Barnhart stated if the <br /> Dumas property is developed at seven units and the Eisenger property is developed at a lower density <br /> than what it is guided for,the City will need to identify other properties for higher density even if the <br /> Navarre area is guided for eight units per acre. <br /> McGrann asked if the Met Council is appointed or elected. <br /> Gaffron indicated they are appointed by the governor. <br /> Page 16 of 30 <br />