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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 18, 2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Thiesse stated the land would still be higher on the other side of the road given the topography. <br /> The consensus of the Planning Commission was that they have no concerns about the grading and <br /> removal of existing trees along Wayzata Boulevard. <br /> Leskinen noted the Conservation Design Master Plan should be revised to include more complete <br /> recommendations and direction to address different aspects of the site. <br /> The Planning Commission had no issues with that requirement. <br /> Leskinen asked whether the Planning Commission is okay with the requests far flexibility in terms of <br /> FAR, hardcover, and building height. <br /> Thiesse stated the flexibility is acceptable but that there should be some limitations. <br /> Schoenzeit noted there likely will be some three-story homes in this development and that is a concern. <br /> Schoenzeit stated he is okay with the 30 feet but that the homes should not be higher than that. <br /> Campion stated one of the issues he encountered on his last project in Orono was the three-story limit. <br /> The Z-design exposes a lot of the side of the house to a walkout elevation because it has to match the <br /> elevation of the adjacent house. Campion stated based on how the City measures that, there could be an <br /> issue with the Z-lots. Campion indicated they do not want anything that looks ugly and sticks out of the <br /> ground but that they do want the walkouts. <br /> Schoenzeit stated they may have to go to lookout versus walkout and that the City should hold the line on <br /> the basements. <br /> Thiesse stated if there are 8-foot high ceilings, with 2-foot floor joists going across,that would be 10 feet. <br /> If you go down six feet, anything that is more than four feet exposed will be considered. Thiesse asked if <br /> 50 percent or more of the foundation will be exposed two to four feet above the floor. <br /> Campion stated they are more walkout lots and that he would like to address that now. Campion noted <br /> the sketch also does not show the bump-out. <br /> Gaffron stated the choices are to make the grading plan that is proposed work for each house or ask far <br /> flexibility knowing that some of the homes will have more than 50 percent of the lowest level sticking six <br /> feet out of the ground. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the bump-out is the worst case since it will be sticking out and sized at l 0' x 10', which <br /> would be three stories on at least two of the sides. <br /> Campion stated it could potentially be everything on the south side that would be impacted. Campion <br /> stated someone will see a typical walkout unit but the issue is how it is measured. <br /> Thiesse commented it will be very visible from the highway. <br /> Leskinen noted Commissioner Schoenzeit suggested 30 feet and allowing the developer to do what he <br /> wanted to do with that height. <br /> Page 22 of 32 <br />