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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,July 10,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 14. #17-3944 WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ON BEHALF OF UGORETS <br /> 8098 LLC,2520 SHADYWOOD ROAD,REZONING AND MASTER PLAN APPROVAL- <br /> Continued <br /> Kirk Sherman,2505 Old Beach Road,stated the Comprehensive Plan gave this piece of property that it <br /> could potentially be RPUD. Sherman stated as you look at the overall plan and the discussion relating to <br /> Navarre,that was a cautious approach. In that context,the authors noted things like traffic conditions and <br /> the Comprehensive Plan specifically says that County Road 15 is far over capacity and it is not practical <br /> or economical to increase it. Therefore,additional housing options will be primarily developed along <br /> Orono's Highway 12 corridor. <br /> Sherman noted there are two key factors embodied in the City's ordinances. Of paramount importance to <br /> the citizens of the City is the preservation of Lake Minnetonka and wetlands. The disasterous effects of <br /> intense residenrial and commercial development within the City and especially those areas adjacent to <br /> Lake Minnetonka and the wetlands are painfully evident. The guiding principles of maintaining open <br /> spaces,avoiding the ill effects of overcrowding,avoiding premature development,avoiding future <br /> pollution problems which are inherent in any plan,to intensively develop land adjacent to wetlands and <br /> Lake Minnetonka,and the need to change some allowed uses in order to preserve the quality of the <br /> groundwater supplies in the area were recognized in the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Sherman stated at the time the Comprehensive Plan was done,these parameters were developed and this <br /> site was identified as a possible location for RPUD. Sherman stated at the time the applicant created his <br /> plan,he knew about the 30-foot height requirement,the 3-story requirement,the setbacks,the density <br /> limitation,and the 5-acre requirement. Sherman noted this RPUD requires a number of exceptions, <br /> which is not the vision of the Comprehensive Plan,and to say that this parcel envisioned this type of <br /> project is not accurate. <br /> Sherman stated as it relates to the height,the Freshwater Institute is primarily a one-story building with a <br /> small element that is taller,so this building is not comparable to the Freshwater Institute. Sherman stated <br /> there was also discussion about how many stories will be visible from County Road 19. Sherman noted <br /> the view from County Road 15 will be a 5-story building. <br /> Barnhart displayed a picture of the Freshwater Institute. <br /> Sherman stated when you take the 58 feet in the back,they can see that it is hugely significant. Sherman <br /> stated it is his belief that this property is higher than his,and for most of the year he can see the top <br /> element of the Freshwater Institute. Sherman stated with this project he will have the potential of 60 feet <br /> of building facing down into his yard blocking his view as well as the people coming around on County <br /> Road 19. <br /> Sherman encouraged the City Council to follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission. <br /> Seals stated Mr. Sherman's house was one of the houses that she thought of when considering this project <br /> and that she has been to his property in the past. Seals stated when someone looks up from that property <br /> to this area,you would see part of the Freshwater Institute and you would probably be seeing a lot of this <br /> proposed building from that lot. <br /> Page 9 of 14 <br />