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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 /> probably a good idea to erect a sign at the end of the cul-de-sacs notifying the residents that this road will <br /> be developed at some point in the future. Gonyea stated he feels it is a good idea to put people on notice <br /> for whatever that land could be used for. <br /> Gonyea stated they basically came up with this plan based on the feedback of the Council and the <br /> Planning Department, and that the issues with the Metropolitan Council are not within his control. <br /> Gonyea noted the focus of the Metropolitan Council tends to change over the years depending on the <br /> governor. <br /> Schoenzeit stated in seeing the varying setbacks, it seems like it will cause a lot of confusion and issues <br /> with the homeowners. Schoenzeit asked if there is a happy medium. <br /> Gonyea stated some cities allow different setbacks on the garage side. Gonyea indicated they would be <br /> willing to make it seven and a half on each side so there would be 15 feet between the homes,with the <br /> only exceptions being a couple of areas where there is a little larger easement. <br /> Ian Peterson, David Weekly Homes, stated he spent a lot of time down at the legislature discussing <br /> various items, including the Metropolitan Council. Peterson stated the Metropolitan Council does change <br /> over the years with each council having a different focus. Peterson stated the Metropolitan Council is <br /> looking for the providing of higher density opportunities. <br /> Peterson noted during the boom years up unti12006 to 2007, nearly 60 percent of the housing constructed <br /> was attached townhomes. Over the years some law firms came in from California and Colorado <br /> representing homeowner associations. The condo laws favored these law firms and the law firms slapped <br /> the builders with potential lawsuits. Peterson indicated the builders collectively have been at the <br /> legislature the last three or four sessions asking for some change to that legislation and that today there <br /> are very few builders who are building large attached condo buildings. Peterson noted apartments do not <br /> fall under the same laws. <br /> Peterson stated as it relates to this development,the 65-foot wide lots will start in the upper$500,000 <br /> range and go into the upper$600,000 range. The 45-foot lots would be more of an empty-nester product <br /> and will range in the$400,000 to $500,000 range. <br /> Peterson stated all of the two-story plans range from 2,600 square feet above ground to around 3,150 <br /> square feet above ground. Peterson indicated they played around a lot with the floor plans. All of the <br /> homes will accommodate three cars. The general theme is to break up the garage fronts with the tandem <br /> garages and the courtyards. <br /> Peterson indicated the exteriors will be constructed with Hardy Board siding. Each home will come with <br /> a deck, full basement, outdoor patio, 10-foot main floor ceilings, and 9-foot basement ceilings. <br /> McGrann asked if there will be any walkouts on the site. <br /> Peterson indicated there will be some along the wetland. Peterson stated they attempted to make a <br /> landscape berm around the perimeter to create a buffer from the high school and the industrial park. <br /> Peterson stated they have been very successful in other developments at creating that landscape buffer <br /> and that it allows for a nice berm with some trees. <br /> Page 18 of 30 <br />