Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> McGrann asked if Staff knows for a fact what they will do. <br /> Gaffron stated Metropolitan Council staff and board members change over time and it has become more <br /> difficult to meet some of their goals. Gaffron stated as long as the Metropolitan Council continues to say <br /> the City needs to provide opportunities for higher density, the City is okay, but that the Metropolitan <br /> Council could decide one day to require the higher density be actually developed. Gaffron stated the <br /> number of developers who are willing to do that higher density are few and far between and that the <br /> higher density should be market driven. <br /> Landgraver asked when the next Comprehensive Plan update is required to be completed. <br /> Barnhart indicated it is due in 2018. <br /> Landgraver stated the Planning Commission could recommend approval of the lower density with the <br /> recommendation that other sites be identified for higher density. <br /> Thiesse commented this might be the ideal property for the City to catch up on its density. <br /> Landgraver asked if the City has had a lot of developers inquiring about higher density on this property. <br /> Gaffron indicated it has been a number of years. <br /> Landgraver asked for additional detail on the sewer system. <br /> Gaffron stated at the sketch plan review last summer, it was known that there was sewer and water <br /> available at the corner. The question has become what is the most efficient way to provide those utilities <br /> to this property as well as the Eisinger and Dumas properties. Gaffron stated within the last six months <br /> the Public Works Director has worked with Bolton & Menk to discuss the connection and to determine <br /> how the extension should be built and who should pay for it. The idea was to have a single pipe from the <br /> Eisenger property to the corner of OCB & Wayzata Boulevard. <br /> Gaffron stated at the time this plan came in initially,the discussion centered around connecting it into the <br /> corner. Since then the Public Works Director has come up with a formula for paying for the costs, with <br /> the costs being allocated to the three properties. Council has stated they would absorb the costs for the <br /> Dumas property initially and then collect that amount when the property develops. Gaffron stated when <br /> this property and the Eisinger property become developed,their portion of the costs would be collected. <br /> Gaffron indicated they know there will be a lift station at the low point between Eisinger and Dumas, <br /> pumping uphill, and then potentially be gravity flow east of the Dumas property. If it is gravity pipe, it <br /> could make use of the proposed gravity pipe throughout the neighborhood. Gaffron indicated he would <br /> prefer the neighborhood to connect to the main extension rather than running the main through the <br /> neighborhood since there are implications for maintenance and/or replacement if it goes through the <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Tom Gonyea, Estate Development Corporation, stated in his view they have come up with a pretty good <br /> plan following discussions with both the Planning Commission and the City Council on a few occasions. <br /> Gonyea indicated he did speak with Marilyn Dumas and that she wants the future property owners to <br /> understand that they are moving in next to a farm. Gonyea stated he also shared with her that it is <br /> Page 17 of 30 <br />