02-12-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 12, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. The property will be rezoned to RPUD and tied to the Stonebay development across the street to meet size requirements. Staff anticipates a similar design palette to the Stonebay project. The net development density based on 56 units on the 2.55 -acre parcel would be 21.9 units per acre. The highest density anticipated by the Comprehensive Plan is high density residential at 10 to 15 units per acre. The senior housing project to the east was approved at 20 units per acre. Density at this level will help the City meet its work force housing and density goals established in the Comprehensive Plan and could allow for lower densities elsewhere. Seals asked what is meant by work force housing. Barnhart stated work force housing is not defined in the City Code and that it is likely the people who will be renting will be people who work in the area and perhaps do not have the ability to afford a large home. Barnhart noted the developer is not requesting any subsidy and the City is not offering any. Crosby asked what the rents will be. Patch indicated the rents will be market rate, meaning that the one -bedroom apartments will probably rent in the $1,100 to $1,300 range and the two-bedroom apartments will be between $1,400 to $1,600 per month. Walsh noted Staff has laid out five issues for discussion. Walsh asked whether the Council feels this site should be rezoned to residential. Printup stated one of the reasons it was zoned business was to help keep the density down. Walsh stated higher density on this site would give the City more flexibility on other developments. Walsh noted the Council approved lower density on the Orono Preserve development with the idea that higher density could be built elsewhere. Seals stated she does not believe the residents will want the higher density. 18. #184002 JOHN PATCH OB/O BERKSHIRE PARTNERS, 2745 KELLEY PARKWAY, CONCEPT PLAN, APARTMENT BUILDING, 8:26 P.M. — 9:00 P.M. — Continued Walsh noted there is basically the same density with the senior housing and that this building will stay at the same height as Stonebay so it will not look out of place. Dankey commented the density will also impact the school district. Crosby asked what the ramifications are from the Metropolitan Council if they do not approve higher density. Barnhart stated the City will be submitting a Comprehensive Plan Update later this year and that it is a possibility the Metropolitan Council will not approve that if the City does not meet its density and affordable housing goals. Barnhart noted currently there is quite a bit of density in the Navarre area and that higher density in the Navarre area is probably misplaced due to the traffic levels. Barnhart stated the Page 13 of 22