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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,Apri119,2010 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CONTINUED) <br /> does not plan to purchase the properties via eminent domain,but there is a plan to acquire those properties in <br /> the future. <br /> Gaffron noted the City would not be in compliance with the Metropolitan Council plans if those properties are <br /> not shown as future acquisitions. Mrs.Bushbaum has indicated she is not interested in selling her property. <br /> To be in compliance with Metropolitan Council requirements,the City would need to show them as future <br /> park land. <br /> Gaffron stated the City received a letter from the neighboring property requesting two parcels in Navarre <br /> not be included in the mixed use density area. The writer of the letter is not the owner of those two properties <br /> and the City has not heard from the property owners on whether they would like the lots to be reguided for <br /> mixed use. A number of developers through the years have suggested that it would be appropriate and feasible <br /> to do some sort of one-level retail with one to three levels residential above it on those properties. Gaffron <br /> noted that no developer has approached the City with a formal plan. Currently the City's Comprehensive Plan <br /> would not allow that type of development but the mixed use district would. The two properties total <br /> approximately two and a half acres in area and it is possible to construct 15 dwelling units at the proposed <br /> density. <br /> Gaffron stated there were some property owners in attendance at the Apri17`�'meeting who did discuss the land <br /> by the fire station. At the present time the land is guided for two to three units per acre and is proposed to be <br /> reguided to 10 to 15 units per acre to accormnodate the CommonBond project. The Planning Comxnission <br /> heard comments tonight that the majority of the residents are opposed to high density at that location. <br /> Gaffron noted Metropolitan Council has to approve any sewer connections or extensions of their metro system. <br /> Metropolitan Council have made significant investments in infrastructure systems through the decades that <br /> they are attempting to protect by requiring higher densities. The City is currently attempting to meet the goals <br /> of the Metropolitan Council. The City had originally submitted a plan that did not show the higher density <br /> areas and a letter was received back saying that the City is not in compliance and that some areas would need <br /> to be reguided for higher density in order to meet their goals. Gaffron stated that if the City does not comply <br /> with the Metropolitan Council's requirements, it is possible they would not allow sewer connections in the <br /> future. <br /> Gaffron stated the proposed Comprehensive Plan has been reviewed and discussed by the City Council over <br /> the past six months. The Planning Commission has been involved in those sessions at times. Staff would like <br /> the Planning Commission to make recommendations on each of the four specific requests that were made on <br /> April�cn <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether this is Long Lake's sewer or the Metropolitan Council's sewer. <br /> Gaffron stated the agreement that was referred to earlier tonight states that the City of Long Lake has agreed to <br /> provide up to 350 units based on whatever capacity is available. Attorneys have reviewed that document and <br /> believe that document is fairly defensible. Gaffron stated it remains to be seen whether there are 350 units or <br /> 42 units or exactly what capacity the City of Long Lake has left to serve Orono's properties. The agreement is <br /> approximately ten years old. <br /> Chair Kang opened the public hearing at 9:07 p.m. <br /> Page 20 <br />