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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 18, 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 10 of 35  <br />  <br />the rest of that neighborhood. Gaffron indicated there is a neighborhood to the west consists typically of <br />homes with a basement and one story. The neighborhood to the east is somewhat screened from this <br />development. From a style perspective, Glendale Cove is somewhat set by itself. <br /> <br />Landgraver noted it will no longer be set by itself with this development. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated the developer will need to define his plan as it relates to the size of homes and that the <br />Planning Commission has the option to place limits on the development. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if there is a potential daisy change effect of another RPUD being developed that would <br />be adjacent to this one. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated the only property that is left to be developed is to the southeast, which would be outside <br />of this zoning district. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if this is not approved as an RPUD, whether the other three factors would apply to the <br />development. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated the Planning Commission will need to determine whether the property to the southeast <br />could be developed as an RPUD. <br /> <br />William Abbott, Applicant, stated he is here tonight on behalf of the property owners and the Broadway <br />Group. Abbott stated when they came across the property, they felt it was a great fit for what the City <br />was guiding this area for and that after meeting with Staff, it seemed that Staff had the same mindset. <br /> <br />Abbott stated many of the development spots left in Orono are the bigger lots and bigger homes which, in <br />their view, results in Orono becoming less affordable. In seeing this opportunity, Abbott stated they set <br />out to create a more affordable and reachable opportunity for people to move back into Orono. Abbott <br />stated they saw a similar opportunity in rebuilding a lot in Long Lake on Grand Avenue where they <br />experienced a great desire for new construction at a lower cost and smaller footprint. Constructing homes <br />with a 2,500 to 3,000 footprint with a three-car garage is their goal for this neighborhood. <br /> <br />Abbott stated one thing that was not included in the earlier packet was the recreation area concept. What <br />is being proposed is not to create a paved or woodchip type path but an opportunity for people to connect. <br />Abbott stated they originally thought of a path that connected Hackberry Park to this development for <br />safety reasons. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District was not receptive to that and Staff suggested <br />the trail easement. Abbott stated it would be a more passive area. All together the square footage of that <br />10-foot wide walking easement is approximately 20,000 square feet. Abbott stated in his view that is a <br />good idea and adds to the value of the homes that are there without adding a lot of cost to the homes. <br /> <br />Abbott noted it will be quite expensive to bring water into the development so the intent is to drill wells <br />but the homes will be connected to city sewer, which will be provided by Long Lake. <br /> <br />Leskinen asked if this is the same road configuration that was originally proposed. <br /> <br />Abbott indicated it is not and that it is approximately double from what was originally proposed. Abbott <br />noted the proposal went from six lots to seven lots because it made more sense to remove the existing <br />house and create another lot to help keep the costs down. <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 <br />[Page 10 of 35]