04/19/2010 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,Apri119,2010 6:30 o'clock p.m. (COMPREI�NSIVE PLAN, CONTINUED) Michael LaQuey,P.O. Box 94, Crystal Bay, stated he would reiterate his support for the property behind the fire station being reguided for higher density. LaQuey stated one option the City could consider to address the density issue is to allow an overlay district along the state highways that would allow for duplexes. A number of those properties currently are small and single-family. If a duplex is constructed on a quarter acre,it would count as eight per acre density,which would help the property owners that have been severely impacted by the traffic in those areas and would benefit Orono by the increased density. , Gaffron stated currently Orono Zoning Codes do allow for duplex use within a certain distance of any commercial district. � Jennifer Haskamp stated she is here on behalf of Susan Seeland and Stonegate Farms. Haskamp indicated she would like to make some clarifications to the analysis done by the City with regard to their request for sewer to the property. They are not requesting to have higher density at this site but they are requesting municipal services and sewer. The properties that are to the south of this property are actually guided in the City's Land Use Plan as low density residential,which is half a unit to two units per acre. The property is also currently included within the MUSA. In terms of what is being requested,Mrs. Seeland would be requesting a similar type of density on this property. Haskamp stated she would also like to make a clarification in terms of the Planning Commission discussion concerning the CommonBod properiy. Haskamp questioned why the City is attempting to jam all of this density on very specific small parcel areas. Haskamp indicated she is very familiar with the Metropolitan Council and that they have a threshold of three to five units per acre that they attempt to meet. The City can achieve that in a number of different ways. The City could allocate areas within the community that would be well suited for density that would be in the ball park of those ranges without jamming them all onto very specific properties. The properties along County Road 6 could be well suited for two to three units per acre. In terms of options,there are a number of options available to the City that would allow them to achieve the required number of units and density that the Metropolitan Council is requesting. Haskamp indicated she would also like to clarify the surrounding uses with respect to the property on County Road 6. It was stated that this is a very rural area,which is really not the case. The hockey arena is located to the south and is easily seen from this property. There is also a fairly urban development kitty-corner from this property located in Medina that is sewered. With the exception of the properties that are adjacent to the east, everything around it does not have a rural character. This area in particular is actually more piecemeal and does not fit in with the general plan for what is going on in the surrounding land uses. Haskamp suggested the City consider designating a corridor where there might be services available to residents who are in higher densities. The corridor could match up with the parameters that were spoken of earlier tonight and could include the schools, community facilities,ice arena,and Baker Park. Haskamp noted that Baker Park is also part of the Metropolitan Council in terms of their regional systems. Haskamp requested the area along County Road 6 be given a little further consideration in terms of density and services. Terry Schneider stated he is representing the owner of 2525 Shadywood Road and that he is in agreement with Staff's recommendations. Page 21