HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdditional public commentTo: Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh and City Council
From: Jan Berg
Re: Application 17-3944 40 unit condo building
In response to the 40 unit condo building proposed at the Freshwater site I would like to make several
points regarding this application.
1.This is not a good fit for the character of this neighborhood. Unfortunately the comp plan
recommends this type of higher density development, but to accomplish this particular project
there are several steps that need to take place to move forward with it that requires code
changes and variances. It would seem with the recommendation for this type of development
we are not looking at a vision for prudent planning in this area of Orono and how best to
develop the Navarre area.
2.The building is too massive which will negatively impact on the surrounding area and not
necessarily in in a good way. Look at the Mist and downtown Wayzata. This is not what this
area should look like or become. The Mist couldn’t even sell their condo units, so they turned it
into rental. There is no conclusive evidence of whether there is even a market for this type of
project in this area. Primarily the characteristic of this area is lower density development in
keeping with the surrounding area.
3.This will have a negative impact on the environment, wetland and eventually the lake. Orono
prides itself on preserving the wetlands and lake quality, even so much so as the Orono sign
depicts waterfowl.
4.Traffic this project will bring will have significant negative impact on the area which is already
congested. Traffic studies can say 19 can handle this type of project but they do not show the
real impact at certain times of day or year and the impact it will have for the neighborhoods
who needs to get onto 19.
Please read the comments in the petition signed by 180+ individuals as this represents the opinions of
your constituents regarding this project and its impact.
In conclusion, I am asking you to deny this project. It will not be a benefit for this area of Orono.
Additional Public Comment
Item 14
17-3944
From:Bohn, Bonnie K
To:Jeremy Barnhart
Subject:Shadywood Condo Project
Date:Monday, July 10, 2017 2:48:35 PM
Importance:High
Please vote No to the proposed 40 unit condo building on Shadywood Road. Not only willthis substantially increase traffic, it will be a loss to our community in terms of open spaces
and views. The traffic on 15 & 19 is terrible already. I am a runner and cross at thedesignated crosswalk on a daily basis. The traffic is terrible and sometimes I feel like I am in
danger. The Mtka Country Club development is only going to increase this traffic, as anyhomeowner that works in Plymouth, Golden Valley, Downtown Mpls, or North Metro suburb
will use this route. Additionally, we feel that it would be a big loss to the community to usethe land that was developed for the Fresh Water Foundation, an environmentally conscience
organization for another condo project. Really, is this necessary. If you pass this project, there's no going back. The community loses a valuable resource, Views and Open Space for
condos. Please give this careful consideration and vote NO. We love our community. Its notall about money.
Bonnie Bohn Hector & Mark Hector612.382.7880
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From:judy.fredrickson@ubs.com
To:Denny Walsh; Richard Crosby; Wendy Dankey; Aaron H. Printup; Victoria Seals
Cc:Jeremy Barnhart
Subject:ITEM NO: 14; Item Description: #17-3944 Westwood Professional Services o/b/o Ugorets 9098 LLC, 2520Shadywood Road, Rezoning and Master Plan
Date:Monday, July 10, 2017 2:57:09 PM
Attachments:disclaim.txt
Importance:High
July 10, 2017
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Judy and Dave Fredrickson, 2507 Kelly Avenue, Excelsior, MN 55331; 612.916.6084
SUBJECT: #17-3944 Westwood Professioanl Services o/b/o Ugorests 9098 LLC
I would like to offer comments summarizing my personal views as well as those of many of my
neighbors on Kelly Avenue and Lydiard regarding the proposed 40 unit condo project on
Shadywood Road.
As you know, the planning commission voted to deny this project 6-0 at their last meeting
based on a wide variety of reasons such as the height AND strong, negative feedback of
nearby property owners who wish to protect their property and avoid traffic issues.
I also have a real concernwith the inadequate notice of this meeting when the City knows
how many people have a true interest in their neighborhood. Makes me feel that items are
snuck onto the Agenda in hopes that “the neighbors won’t show up – especially vocal ones”.
At the last meeting, we received a postcard alerting us to this project being on the Agneda.
We got the postcard the Friday before the Monday meeting and comments were due the
same day???? That is not advancwe notice nor transparency from the City.
We respectfully ask that you deny this particular project as it stands for the following
reasons:
1. Recommendation: I find it disheartening that Jeremy Barnhart is recommending this project after all of the
negative feedback it has received. I understand that there is a requirement to bring projects in front of the
City Council even if the Planning Commission has voted against it. I also understand that the City Council
does not have to abide by their decision. However, to make a recommendation in support of the project
is extremely disappointing. If the City does not stand by the people who live in it and who pay the taxes for
it…what are the priorities of the staff? 188 people signed an on-line petition against this project after a
well-attended April open house by the Developer. We took the time to ask questions and be informed.
We are NOT the neighborhood of NO. There was no big opposition to the Cudd 7 unit townhome project. I
personally wrote a letter in support of that project (right across the street from the Freshwater) because it
was “consistent with the neighborhood” and I knew the quality of the builder. I would like to know how
many neighbors have written you in support of the project? I urge you to take the time to read the
concerns of the 188 petitioners. Your decision today will set a precedent for Orono.
2. Character of Orono: please don’t change the character of Orono and this neighborhood. Navarre/Spring
Lake park is a sleepy lake side town – Orono has cat tails on the logo. This is NOT Wayzata. Orono has a
rural feel with beautiful roads weaving through the countryside – the City Conservation Plan calls on you to
protect the unique qualities of our lake side City. This condo building is too massive for the location and
small lot. It is 4 stories high and close to the street. There is NOT enough parking and it will dramatically
change the look and feel of our neighborhood. The condos built in Wayzata tower above the town. It has
changed the character of Wayzata. This proposed condo building is very modern, cold, a lot of iron/steel
and does not at all have the look and feel of a smaller, lake inspired community that could actually
enhance the surroundings rather than look completely out of place. I like modern buildings but they
belong in downtown Minneapolis not Orono. When I look at the steel siding of the freshwater business
center, I think it too look out of place. Nothing about this condo design speaks to a lakeside community.
We are very opposed to changing the zoning to allow a 40 foot height structure. Just like the previous
Delaney project, we heard that “unless we can build X number of units, we can’t make money”. Whether
the Developer can make money is NOT a reason to approve a project. The project should be approved if it
Adds to the look and feel, the character of the area – not because the plan being proposed is the only way
the Developer will move forward.
3. Parking: the current Orono plan speaks to Shadywood NOT being conducive to high density housing. This
fact was recognized many years ago when the current plan was written. They saw that the traffic was
already too congested. You may have done a traffic study but we live here and at 8 a.m. or 5:30 p.m., cars
coming west on 15 are backed up around the corner by Culvers. Think about adding 40 condos, 80 cars
plus resident cars to this congestion. And then think about the owners actually living in their homes and
having parties and guests over. Alex is proposing 40 underground parking spots and 40 above ground
spots. At the open house, I asked him about this number and he said “I need the condo project approved
because I don’t have enough parking for my current building (the Freshwater Business Center” …what?
If he has parking problems for the business center, a condo building with the bare minimum will not solve
his problem. Where will the overflow go when anyone has more than 2 cars, has friends or a party or there
is an event at one of the lessors at Freshwater? It is NOT safe to park on Shadywood. Will they park at
Lunds and try to walk across the busy road? The lot simply does not have enough space for the parking
required. We have a lot of bikers who bike along Shadywood.
4. Traffic: if things are backed up on Shadywood…. the escape route is right down our quiet streets: Kelly
Avenue and Lydiard. We already have many trucks and cars who cut through our neighborhood trying to
avoid the 4 corner lights at Shadywood/15. Unfortunately these commuters don’t follow the speed limit
and come racing down Kelly to access Shadywood. Increasing the through traffic on Kelly is not safe or
desirable for our residents.
5. Property values: my understanding is that they will price the condos at $750,000. I would like to see a
market study to see if condos on a busy road, with little parking or green space and a view of a swamp
could sell for this price. The interesting thing is that The Mist in Spring Lake Park tried this experiment
and could not sell their condos and they are now rental properties. The Mist offered full water,
gorgeous views of the lake (vs. a swamp and no lake access). There is no market data to support the
attraction to such a place especially at this price point. If the units don’t sell, then the price point will
have to be lowered or they will turn to rentals – neither scenario is a plus for nearby property values.
6. Impact on the Environment: this project would be entirely built along a wetland. I have talked to many a
homeowner who were denied exceptions for hardscape. This project will be nothing but hardscape –
there is not room for anything other than the building and asphalt. IF he had 5 acres to develop,
something more desirable could be built.
Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate you erading this letter.
Judy Fredrickson
612.916.6084