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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 17,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> The first policy question for the Planning Commission and the City Council is to determine whether they <br /> would be amenable to vacating some or all of the right-of-way necessary to support the development. <br /> The right-of-way forming the north portion of planned Lot 5 and the eastern portion of Lots 5,6, and 7 <br /> may connect to Lake Minnetonka. Generally the City avoids vacating rights-of-way that serve as lake <br /> access. In this situation, Staff feels some portion of the right-of-way could be vacated but that access to <br /> the lake should be preserved. <br /> The west side of the development is a 2-acre zone and is outside of the MUSA. On the east side it is a <br /> 1-acre minimum zone and is eligible for MUSA. Each lot on the east side is greater than the 1.0 acre <br /> required but some of these lots appear to have a 924' contour, which would make them lake lots and <br /> subject to the lot width measurement at the lake and at the 75-foot setback. If they are deemed lake lots, <br /> it does not appear that the lot width requirement can be met. <br /> West of the extended road four lots are proposed. These lots exceed the two-acre lot minimum gross lot <br /> size but some of these lots have slopes greater than 18 percent. Those areas cannot be included in the lot <br /> area calculation. The width requirement is 200 feet as measured at the street. At this time the lots should <br /> be considered conceptual since all lots will need to be confirmed that they can support two septic sites. <br /> The developer should be aware that this subdivision is subject to the City's Conservation Design <br /> Ordinance. The project will be reviewed in terms of the Rural Oasis goals and policies that have been <br /> approved by the City Council. The Conservation Design will provide further insight on the impact of the <br /> development and the developer's plan to minimize and mitigate these impacts. <br /> Lemke asked how the sewer would come into the property. <br /> Barnhart indicated it would likely come from Wildhurst but that a feasibility study has not yet been <br /> performed. <br /> Lemke asked whether it would make sense to serve both sides. <br /> Barnhart stated that argument could be made. One advantage to that would be to save some trees,but that <br /> it would be a pretty significant departure from past practice in regard to expanding the MUSA boundary. <br /> In addition, it would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the rest of the Wildhurst Road <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Lemke asked whether there have been any soil tests done that demonstrate the lots will support a private <br /> septic system. <br /> Barnhart stated to his understanding there was some septic testing done in the late 1990s but that he does <br /> not have that information available tonight. <br /> Libby stated a consideration for the property owners and developer is that if city sewer is allowed, each <br /> lot will gain a substantial amount of land since they will not have to dedicate a second site for septic. <br /> Barnhart stated if the Planning Commission supported that change, it is likely the applicant would <br /> welcome that,but that expansion of the MUSA boundary would be a departure from what has normally <br /> been done. <br /> Page 10 of 22 <br />