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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, August 19 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 23 of 28  <br />  <br />Gaffron noted this is a sketch plan review and no vote of the Planning Commission needs to be taken. <br />The applicant will present his concept plan in order to gain the comments of the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if the public can comment on the application. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated this was not noticed as a public hearing and that it is premature at this point to obtain <br />public comment. The applicant would like to get some feedback from the Planning Commission on his <br />concept for a residential townhome development that would incorporate a number of properties but the <br />number of properties is not known at this point. The area is located in the LR-1B, one family lakeshore <br />residential district, and B-4, office and professional business district. Gaffron noted this application will <br />be brought before the City Council for their input as well. <br /> <br />Tom Wasmoen, applicant, stated one of the ideas they are exploring is how the lay of the land could be <br />used to create a higher density enclave for people who would like to live in a smaller unit such as a twin <br />home or townhome. The development would appeal to the empty nester. <br /> <br />Wasmoen displayed a layout of the proposed development. Wasmoen indicated they are presently <br />looking at mostly twin homes with a couple of single units and a few row houses. The row houses have <br />been incorporated to help the development fit in better with the topography. <br /> <br />Wasmoen displayed some massing models of the proposed development. Some trees have been added to <br />the lot to help soften up the development. An attempt is being made to maintain all of the wetlands as a <br />buffer along Kelly Avenue as well as preserve the majority of the existing tree coverage. The steep slope <br />would remain pretty much intact as well as the green buffer area. Wasmoen indicated they would also be <br />using the current access point for the existing home as a pedestrian trail and access for emergency <br />vehicles. Wasmoen stated they are attempting to work with the slope and take advantage of it as much as <br />possible to avoid re-grading the entire site. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked what the total number of units is they are proposing. <br /> <br />Wasmoen stated they are proposing approximately 44 units to a maximum of 62 units depending on the <br />number of properties they are able to combine. <br /> <br />Lemke asked whether age restrictions are being contemplated. <br /> <br />Wasmoen stated the development is being geared towards people who are empty nesters. <br /> <br />Lemke asked whether there are any price points that have been contemplated. <br /> <br />Wasmoen indicated they would like a mix of units but that they would be luxury townhomes and likely in <br />the neighborhood of $300 a square foot. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if the target customer is people without children. <br /> <br />Wasmoen stated they are looking at a living room, dining room, garage, and master bedroom on one floor <br />and perhaps a second story to provide guest bedrooms and an office space. Wasmoen stated they are also <br />attempting to encourage neighborhood interaction by incorporating some green spaces and perhaps <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 09/16/2013 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 08/19/2013 [Page 23 of 28]