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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Tuesday,February 21,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Landgraver asked if the penthouses will be rented out at a higher rate than the other floors. Landgraver <br /> stated he is not sure if there is a Plan B of what it would look like without the penthouse suites but that it <br /> might be something to consider if there is a lot of resistance to the height. Landgraver stated he likes the <br /> rationale that the Freshwater building is 54 feet in height. <br /> Goodrum stated the penthouse part is being proposed due to market demand and that they also help out <br /> with the economics of the building. <br /> Thiesse asked if any variances would be required as currently proposed. <br /> Barnhart stated it depends on the zoning and that a PUD would likely lessen the number of variances that <br /> would be required. Barnhart stated he would recommend going that route but that this review helps <br /> provide direction to the applicant to make it approvable. <br /> Lemke asked if there would be a demand for this many units. <br /> Goodrum stated they have not done a formal market analysis, but from what they are hearing there is a <br /> demand for housing in this area. <br /> Schoenzeit asked what type of rent they are looking at and square footage of the units. <br /> Goodrum indicated he does not have that information. <br /> Leskinen asked if they are anticipating older clientele. <br /> Goodrum commented it would be higher market rate but that it has not been determined what age group <br /> to market to at this time. Goodrum stated they are hearing more from older people who would like to <br /> remain in the area and that there appears to be a demand for both ownership and rental. <br /> Thiesse stated the City has heard there is a demand for smaller units. <br /> Landgraver commented empty nesters like to stay in the area. <br /> Gaffron noted there are two other buildings in Orono of this magnitude. One is the senior housing located <br /> at Brown and Wayzata Boulevard. From an architectural standpoint, the Council was very adamant that <br /> those buildings have pitched roofs rather than a flat roof. <br /> Thiesse noted the Freshwater building next door has a flat roof as well as a number of other buildings in <br /> Navarre. <br /> Lemke stated he likes the idea of a continuous project on these parcels. Lemke noted there already is <br /> some massing in the area with the Freshwater building and that this project continues that massing, which <br /> he is not opposed to. Lemke stated he also likes the contemporary design and that in his view the <br /> building helps to upgrade the Navarre/Orono area. Lemke stated the traffic in the area concerns him but <br /> that it sounds like that will be addressed. Lemke stated in his view this project will help revitalize the <br /> Navarre area. <br /> Page 19 of 32 <br />