11-12-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE � ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,November 12,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. #13-3638 and 13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL,LLC(PAT HILLER) OB/O GRANT WENKSTERN(LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTHARMDRIVE, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Gaffron stated the map that showed existing land use was showing what was existing in the 1980s. In the 1990s,Metropolitan Council's requirements for local comprehensive planning included a requirement that the City not only show the existing plan but a proposed plan. The 2000 Comprehensive Plan did not change much in the way of open space and this property, in the last two comprehensive plans, is shown as existing open space and proposed open space,which did not change between 1980 and 2000. Gaffron stated the impact of what is in the plan changed as a result of state statute requirements. Printup asked if there are any other areas in the City that might prove as difficult as this situation. Gaffron stated if any of the other privately owned golf courses wanted to change to residential use,the same process would be required. Printup asked whether they also have this underlying zoning. Gaffron stated every one of the golf courses is classified as RR-1B,two-acre single faxnily zoning,but each of them is also designated as park land,recreation,and open space. Pat Hiller,Applicant, stated when they initially took a look at the project,the objectives were to work with the existing topography of the site,minimize the grading,work with the natural beauty of the site, and maintain the open space and natural features of the site. Hiller stated they are proposing a concept of clustering the lots to help maintain more open space,which,in their view,is more attractive. One of the goals of the development is to create a legacy for the City and the Wenksterns that people will be proud of. Mike Gehr,Designer, stated he is currently under contract with five golf courses,including this one,to redevelop the land. The parcel consists of approximately 130 acres of land and is bounded by North Arm on the northeast,North Shore on the west,and West Branch on the south. Gehr displayed a map of the property and noted the lightest colors on the site map are plateaus or platforms situated throughout the 130 acres. T'he orange areas on the maps depict slopes and the blue areas are the drainage pattems throughout the site. There are also two wetlands on the site consisting of approximately nine acres. The lake on the property is at about a 920' or 930' elevation. As you go down to the next plateau,there is a 50-foot elevation change. Gehr commented the site is very dynamic with a nuxnber of different natural features that they will attempt to preserve as part of this project. The other natural features on the site include savannahs and trees. Gehr stated in their view the better use of the property is to cluster the development and protect or set aside approximately 62 acres of the site into open space. At the present time 59 units on approximately one acre lots are displayed on the map along with the road layout. In addition to clustering the development,also being proposed is the use of cul-de-sacs to further micro-cluster units around the cul- de-sacs. Every residential home site on the plan has direct rear yard or side yard access to the open space system. There will be approximately 1.5 miles of trail that will connect the residential home sites throughout the entire area. The majority of the existing woodland is intended to be left untouched and is included within the green open space. Page 14 of 36