08-26-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE • ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Monday,August 26,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. #13-3621 THOMAS WASMOEN ON BEHALF OF JOHN BESSESEN, 2445,2455, 2465 SHADYWOOD ROAD,2560 KELLYAVENUE,AND PID 20-117-23-11-0032—SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Wasmoen indicated the Conservation Design would be part of the design process and that at this time they are attempting to gauge the interest of the City for this type of development before proceeding any further. Wasmoen noted they omitted some trees for clarity on the plan but that there would be trees on every property. In addition,the green area by the church is also not depicted. The driveway is shown to be as efficient as possible but it can be moved slightly away from the property lines in order to add additional green buffer areas. Wasmoen stated they are looking at a development for people 55 and older and that it will not generate as much traffic as some of the other residential developments in the City. Wasmoen indicated they are attempting to create a walkable community and provide some vitality to the area. The green buffer and wetlands along Kelly will be maintained and most of the proposed units will also have their own buffer from Kelly Avenue which will not be visible until you get up by the grocery store. Levang indicated she is opposed to the density since they are proposing approximately five units per acre. Levang stated she does like the buffer along Kelly but that it appears the area would need to be rezoned, which she is opposed to. Levang indicated she also has great concerns regarding what the Conservation Design will show and that the overall density is a major concern at this point. Levang asked whether they own any of the property at this point. Wasmoen indicated they would not purchase the property until they can move forward with the development agreement. McMillan stated she also has issues with the single-family parcels in the middle of the higher density housing. McMillan noted the idea of creating an RPUD was brought up as a way to perhaps cluster some of the units but that in her view the density shown on the concept plan will not work. McMillan stated the clear-cut land might be okay for some townhomes but that she would like to see lower density in this area. McMillan noted commercial can have as much impact as townhomes and that perhaps the City does not need commercial going that far down County Road 19. McMillan stated there is some merit to looking at slightly higher density in that area but the area between the church and north of there is questionable about whether it should be rezoned. McMillan stated she is not ready to put in high-density residential housing in this area. Wasmoen stated they are not looking to construct high density housing and that they are attempting to work with the grades and keep the scale as residential as possible. McMillan noted Kelly Avenue is a single-family residential neighborhood. Bremer noted there are townhomes currently by the bowling alley on Kelly Avenue. McMillan stated the townhomes could perhaps be located off of Shadywood but that the City needs to protect Kelly Avenue given the water problems. Page 8 of 21