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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,July 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart indicated the stormwater pond to the east was designed for anticipated development of the entire <br /> Stonebay project and would be able to accommodate this building. Additional stormwater ponding is <br /> necessary because the stormwater from Wayzata Boulevard will be added to the pond. <br /> Lemke asked if this is the same developer as previously. <br /> Barnhart stated not to his knowledge. <br /> Thiesse asked if there is a reason Staff is requesting a trail easement since Highway 112 will have a trail <br /> along it. <br /> Barnhart stated it is expected that eventually a trail will be provided, whether it is on this property or on <br /> Highway 112. <br /> Landgraver asked why only 48 units will quality as residential rather than 70 units. <br /> Barnhart stated the Metropolitan Council will only count units as residential if they contain a full kitchen. <br /> Based on preliminary discussions, only 48 will qualify. <br /> Landgraver asked what the height of the condominiums is across the street. <br /> Barnhart indicated those are three stories with underground parking. Barnhart stated he was unable to <br /> find the plans for the condominiums but it is Staffs belief they are higher than the proposed building. <br /> Thiesse asked if the property to the west would also require an RPUD or whether it could be developed as <br /> it is currently zoned. <br /> Barnhart stated it could be developed as a commercial parcel. <br /> Ashish Aggarwal, Developer, stated they appeared before the City last fall to get some guidance on their <br /> sketch plan. Apex Holdings has owned the property for approximately three years now and that they <br /> considered senior housing and a commercial warehouse for this site. Aggarwal stated in their view the <br /> best option for this property is senior housing. The City Council at that time was very open to the senior <br /> housing project given the available housing in the area as well as the higher density meeting the ratios of <br /> the Metropolitan Council. Aggarwal noted they will need 70 units to make the project financially feasible <br /> and that the units are divided into independent, assisted, and memory care units. <br /> Sanjeev Mangalick, Applicant, stated they have performed some initial market studies and that the studies <br /> did support the demand for 60 units. The studies also demonstrated this type of housing growing by 50 <br /> percent over the next four years. <br /> Mangalick commented Orono is unique because it has a lot of single-family residential homes but does <br /> not have a lot of options for seniors,which then pushes people out of Orono. <br /> Aggarwal stated it is their belief this project fits well with what the City requires, what is currently <br /> available, and what the site is guided for. <br /> Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. <br /> Page 3 of 20 <br />