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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 03, 2009 Page 8 Mr. LeBarron, a resident at 2101 W County Road B in Roseville, as President and Chief Planner for Station 19 Architects; provided a detailed synopsis of the Orchard owner/developer and design teams and their respective expertise. Mr. LeBarron reviewed previous projects completed by some or all of the members of the owner/developer team; addressed the age and maintenance conditions of Midland Grove and Ferriswood; clarified zoning and land use misprints; and make up of the subject property. Mr. LeBarron reviewed the original 77-unit building and minimal setbacks compared to the current, revised 55-unit building, at 71% of the original with increased setbacks. Mr. LeBarron defined building elevations and details; computer-generated sight lines; and detailed site and design revisions in response to previous public comment, and recommendations of the Planning Commission and City Council, and assisted by City staff. Mr. LeBarron advised that the applicant was open to further revisions, based on factual and constructive criticisms as the project developed, and in keeping with the project’s design quality concepts and goals. Chair Doherty complimented the applicant on their improved façade articulation to break up the building mass. Commissioner Wozniak opined that the project had come a long way since initial presentation; and expressed his surprise at how residential it looked compared to those original sketches; however, he opined that it was still a big building. Mr. LeBarron advised that the smallest project he’d ever developed had been at fifty (50) units, and that 50 units was the bottom of the economic feasibility break, noting that this was at the small end of multiple housing spectrums. Commissioner Gottfried sought clarification of the threshold allowing the project to remain economically feasible. Mr. LeBarron advised that the original proposal with 77 units had provided a better safety margin, and that this was now at 10%, providing for a small cushion from economic risk. Public Comment Mr. Paschke requested that the Planning Commission focus public comment specifically on the request before them, as per City Council directive. Vice Chair Boerigter asked the public to keep their comments focused on the General Concept Plan as opposed to issues for rezoning or Comprehensive Plan Amendment, noting that this specific request would be going before the City Council in the near future; and advising that any other discussion would be considered out of order. Peter Coyle, land use attorney from Larkin, Hoffman, et al, 7800 Xerxes, Bloomington, MN (Ferriswood Development and Midland Grove Condominiums) Mr. Coyle cautioned that, if the City approved the Comprehensive Plan and Rezoning as previously recommended by the Planning Commission on a divided vote, they would be giving up their ability to control development on the property. Mr. Coyle opined that the building, as revised, remained too tall, too big, and too much mass for the site, as had been borne out in discussion of this site, referencing similar concerns voiced by the City Council in their discussions of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and their concerns with the high density of the proposal. Mr. Coyle opined that the PUD exceeded zoning outside the project, and that it remained clear from City Council discussions, that they were uncomfortable with the size of the building, and that the building was essentially the same, with the wings altered for the site and simply shifted around on the property. Mr. Coyle restated previously-raised objections; and noted remaining concerns of several Planning Commissioners related to the size and mass of the building and its close proximity to Ferriswood with the large east wall expanse. Mr. Coyle requested additional design changes that would be compatible with medium density use. Gary Stenson, 2179 Ferris Lane Mr. Stenson requested that staff display various Attachments provided by staff for comparison purposes; and proceeded to provide his interpretation of those comparables