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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Tuesday,February 21,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> The building is proposed to be 35 feet back from the Shadywood Road right-of-way line and is about 35 <br /> feet from the new side lot line to the north. The building will be 75 feet from the wetland. Each unit will <br /> have a balcony. The building as shown includes brick, steel, and glass with stucco accents. The <br /> mechanical units will need to be shielded from public view. <br /> Currently the site slopes toward the east/southeast, away from the street, dropping 12 feet in the first 119 <br /> feet. It appears that a substantial amount of fill will need to be brought in to accommodate the project. In <br /> addition,the site is wooded and the grading for the building, parking lot, and stormwater management <br /> will require the removal of most of the trees outside of the wetland. <br /> The project will be served by municipal water and sanitary sewer. <br /> Barnhart stated while this is not a public hearing, Staff has received one public comment expressing a <br /> concern regarding the number of units being proposed. <br /> The property is currently zoned B-4 Office Professional but is guided for mixed use with a prescribed <br /> density of 6-15 units per acre. The Comprehensive Plan suggests mixed use to include senior assisted <br /> living, townhomes, condominiums, or apartment buildings. From a use standpoint,the proposal is <br /> consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the proposed density does allow the City to offset <br /> lower density in other areas. Barnhart noted the proposed project is slightly higher than 15 units per acre. <br /> Thiesse asked where West Lafayette Road is located. <br /> Barnhart indicated it is south of this property off of Shadywood. <br /> Thiesse noted that is where the public comment was received from and that the person's property is <br /> outside of the 350-foot zone. <br /> Barnhart stated one of the concerns expressed by that person related to traffic in addition to the density. <br /> Since it is likely some type of development will happen on the site,the question is whether what is being <br /> proposed is appropriate for the site. Barnhart stated currently there is quite a bit of traffic on Shadywood, <br /> with residential generating a substantial amount of that traffic, but that the overall traffic situation <br /> hamstrings redevelopment of the site. <br /> Lemke stated he has a concern that no one from the public is here. <br /> Barnhart noted this is a sketch plan review and that a formal public hearing has not been noticed. <br /> Barnhart indicated this is basically an opportunity for the applicant to hear from the Planning Commission <br /> and City Council on what they envision for the site. <br /> Thiesse stated one of his concerns is the three stories and a penthouse, especially since it will be five <br /> stories from the back. <br /> Olson asked how many units would be in the building if the density is reduced down to 15 units per acre. <br /> Barnhart noted the applicant is proposing 15.75 units. Barnhart stated the Comprehensive Plan lists a <br /> range of appropriate densities and that it is up to the City to determine what they would like to see on this <br /> site. <br /> Page 15 of 32 <br />