09/17/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,September 17,2012 6:30 o'clock p.m. Landgraver encouraged the applicants to retain the berm and the trees. John Gorman stated none of the trees or berm will be removed. Curtis stated her concern is that they will come in with a proposal that is not at 25 percent and that she does not have the ability to guide them on how much hardcover will be allowed by the Planning Commission. Curtis noted given what has been discussed so far,the applicants will not reach the 25 percent hardcover limit. Schoenzeit noted the pool consist of a significant amount of hardcover. Thiesse asked if they purchased the house with the pool. Curtis indicated they did. Curtis stated it might be likely that the lot is completely built out and that if this addition does not fit on the lot, it does not fit on the lot. Thiesse stated the Planning Commission needs definite numbers to respond to. Gorman noted they will not be able to reach the 25 percent limit. Leskinen asked if they would like their application tabled. Gorman indicated they will make the changes and come back before the Planning Commission. Schoenzeit moved,Landgraver seconded,to table Application 32-33576,John and Sherry Gorman, 3585 Frederick Street. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. 6. #12-3542 CITY OF ORONO,AMEND ZONING CODE SECTION 78-72, LOTS OF RECORD,7:59 P.M.—8:18 P.M. Gaffron stated in March of 2012,the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 92, Third Series, which in part amended Zoning Code Section 78-72 to bring it into compliance with Minnesota Statutes. The statutes require that local governments allow nonconforming single lots of record within the Shoreland to be developed regardless of lot area if they, one, meet local setback requirements;two, have a sewer connection or conforming septic system; and three,have no more than 25 percent hardcover. The statutes also address lots that are part of a group of two or more contiguous lots of record under common ownership,which must be considered as individually buildable if each lot meets 66 percent of the DNR standards for lot area and lot width and has a sewer connection or conforming septic system and has not more than 25 percent hardcover. The significant difference between the two categories is that single lots of record are not granted an automatic lot width variance but just an area variance. In either case,the DNR standards are much less restrictive than Orono's historic lot area and width requirements for the"LR"zoning districts. Having spent the last six months implementing the new standards, Staff questions whether Orono's regulation for the ''A acre and 1 acre"LR"zoning districts granting automatic area and width variances Page 15