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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 /> Commission's pay grade to designate other areas within the City for higher density. Landgraver stated in <br /> his view the proposed use does provide some higher density and that the proposed density is reasonable <br /> for this site. <br /> Leskinen noted the potential for higher density in Pbase 2 will offset this lower density. Leskinen stated <br /> the Ciry has to guide for higher density but that they do not necessarily have to build to that level. <br /> Barnhart stated the City has to provide those opportunities and that the challenge from Staff's perspective <br /> is that the City is running out of areas to provide those opportunities. Barnhart stated the other question is <br /> whether the City wants to provide more affordable housing for the people who work in the area. <br /> Schoenzeit stated at$600,000, this will not be affordable housing for inost people. Schoenzeit stated at <br /> some point the numbers are not going to work for the suggested densiry by the Metropolitan Council and <br /> that the City needs to understand what the ramifications will be if they do not meet that density. <br /> Leinke cominented the City needs a developer that will make money on high density, and given the <br /> property values in the area, it is difficult to do. <br /> Leskinen asked if the Planning Commission is agreeable with the Comprehensive Plan Ainendment. <br /> Schoenzeit stated he is not comfortable kicking the can down the road anymore until there is mare <br /> definitive feedback from the Metropolitan Council. <br /> Landgraver stated this proposal is the best plan the City has seen for this property and that they are <br /> looking at economic reality and what the greatest amount of density can be. Landgraver stated in his <br /> view this plan is reasonable but how the Metropolitan Council operates is unknown. Landgraver <br /> indicated he would be comfortable to allow this to go forward. <br /> Lemke stated he likes the layout and the design. Lemke noted this is something the City has been talking <br /> about for over a year and the proposed densiry is what the Planning Commission said they wanted to see <br /> for this property. Lemke stated in his view higher density is an issue for the City Council to explore. <br /> Thiesse stated this is the density he would like to see for the site but that in his view the Planning <br /> Commission is also responsible for creating areas of higher densiry. Thiesse suggested Staff bring soine <br /> options forward at soine point in the near future. <br /> Gaffron indicated Staff does bave some ideas for possible higher densities and that it should be dealt with <br /> fairly soon. <br /> Landgraver stated it might be that higher density is just not economically feasible. <br /> Leskinen indicated she is in agreement with tbe comments of the other Commissioners,and that if multi- <br /> family is not economically feasible,then it does not make sense to try to raise the density on the subject <br /> property. <br /> Landgraver stated he would prefer to wait to make a motion on the Coinprehensive Plan Amendment until <br /> they have discussed the other elements of the developinent. <br /> Page 19 of 32 <br />