04-19-2010 Planning Commission Packet

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' ( , MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday,April 7,2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. Gaffron stated Staff has had long discussions with Staff from the Metropolitan Council and that the mere fact that the City's Comprehensive Plan is guided for higher density will address the majority of their concerns. As long as tt�ere is the option to construct higher density on specific lots,the Metropolitan Council will be satisfied with that. Bellows commented that the housing on Highway 12 does not look finished. : Gaffron stated the condominium building has unfortunately only sold two units in two years. Out of the 100 townhomes proposed for Stonebay, only 40 have been constructed. The City does get credit for those units that have not yet been constructed and the Metropolitan Council does not hold the City accountable due to market factors. � Bob Erickson, Senior Development Associate,Welsh Companies,4350 Baker Road,Minnetonka,indicated he is here tonight representing three different parcels of land. As it relates to Parcel 5,they currently have a letter , of intent to develop that area and have completed two market analyses. The studies have found that there is appropriate demand for an assisted living facility and a memory care facility. Welsh will be submitting an application in the near future for 54 units. Parcel5 is bounded by the Luce Line and old and new Highway 12. Erickson stated the project will bring a high-quality facility to meet Orono's standards,both internally and externally in order to capture the surrounding views. Welsh is in concurrence with the recommendation of high density for that parcel. � As it relates to Parcel Group 2,that is a 20 acre site and a 30 acre site. The 20 acre site is currently owned primarily by investors with the Welsh Company and they have held this property for an extensive period of time. It was originally considered for retail commercial,but due to the reduction in traffic in that area,Welsh feels they can support the recommendation of Staff for that parcel. They are considering six to seven units and another scenario of seven to ten units for that area,which will fit within the proposed higher residential ; density. The project will take into consideration the nice views of the surrounding area and the wetlands will serve as a fine amenity. The minimum amount of density required to achieve a high quality facility is approximately nine units, and he would encourage the Planning Commission to increase the density from sia to seven units up to seven to ten units. The Eisinger property consists of 30 acres and has some unique characteristics. In addition to the homestead, there is a closed dump site on the property consisting of approximately ten acres. The homestead sits on a parcel that consists of five to seven acres with some wetlands. The Eisingers have a concern that the medium to high density may prevent this property from reaching its ideal use. The need to bring sanitary sewer from the east to the west would result in an additional expense to achieve that development and high density zoning , would provide more flexibility to allow for sewer to be brought to that site. Erickson stated since the dump site is denoted as a closed dump site,there are opporiunities to use that portion of the property for aesthetics purposes such as trails,which would complement the upland. Erickson requested that be taken into consideration and that they be allowed to utilize that piece of property for certain designated purposes. Erickson stated he would like the Planning Commission to be aware that as they move forward to develop these sites, Welsh Companies will also be interfacing with Metropolitan Council and that they will help ensure the City receives the appropriate credit by the Metropolitan Council for the density in order to meet the criteria outlined by Mr. Gaffron tonight. Page 5