05-23-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 9, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 16 of 28 10. #16-3822 LAKEWEST DEVELOPMENT, 3245 WAYZATA BOULEVARD WEST – PRELIMINARY PLAT/RPUD REZONING/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT (continued) Wickstrom noted the Mayor was looking at Phase I as a stand-alone property and that the City is looking at dropping below the three units per unit because of the density that is being proposed for this site. Wickstrom asked if they are being lumped into the same parameters as the Orono Preserve property and whether the City is attempting to make up the density on this piece of property. Walsh stated if they propose something that meets the guided density for the property that would be ideal, but that the City needs to find out what it will take to get to the three units per acre. Walsh stated they are not being asked to make up the density for the other property. Wickstrom noted they are proposing to develop 4.9 units per acre currently, and to reach that higher density, the smallest possible building would be 33 units. Walsh asked how that piece of property can be defined as buildable. Gaffron stated it is Staff’s belief the Metropolitan Council will credit the City any acreage that has to be mitigated. If that area is one acre and 33 units can be placed on it, then there will be 10 units per acre over the entire site. Barnhart stated Staff would like to visit with the Metropolitan Council on what that gap is and then come back to the City Council with recommendations on where that higher density would be most appropriate. Barnhart indicated Staff is looking for some direction or authorization to go before the Metropolitan Council with this proposal. Gaffron stated rather than doing it as a formal Comprehensive Plan amendment, the applicant or Staff could speak with the Metropolitan Council via phone and ask them. McMillan suggested they also tell the Metropolitan Council that this is a former landfill site and that it might be difficult to mitigate. Walsh stated if they can mitigate one acre and build a multi-family building that can help make up a lot of ground. McMillan stated as it relates to Phase I, she would like to know if the applicants have thought about constructing any townhomes along with the single-family homes. McMillan stated she does not see single-family homes as being as strong of a market given the price point and the tight lots. Fretham stated it is essentially the same plan the Council has reviewed three times with the exception of the Z-lot. The purpose of the Z-lot was to widen the main floor master bedroom and that they were careful not to block the view of the adjoining home. Fretham noted the separation between the homes is ten feet, which is common in other cities but not commonplace here in Orono. Fretham stated in their view there is a stronger market for the single-family homes for families who do not want all the yard maintenance.