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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,March 16,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> stated it is like you are in the city, but the moment you drive around the corner of County Road 15, it <br /> becomes another area. Ponzetti stated he hopes it can continue to be that way. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. <br /> McGrann asked what would be required if the applicants move forward with four single-family homes. <br /> Gaffron stated he would suspect they would require a number of variances and easements across <br /> properties for access. Gaffron indicated Staff has not looked at a four-lot plan, but there would be a <br /> number of DNR and shoreland standards that would require certain minimum widths, etc. Gaffron stated <br /> there may be any number of considerations that have to be taken into account that would affect how this <br /> would lay out. One of those considerations is that based on the existing easement,which is much greater <br /> than the delineated wetland, the applicants only have three dry buildable acres. Gaffron stated there <br /> would need to be some discussion about whether or not there is any interest at all in changing the <br /> easement, which there likely is on the developer's part. <br /> Lemke asked what the maximum number of single-family homes that would be able to be constructed. <br /> Gaffron stated in his view it would be three since they would not receive credit for the wetland and there <br /> is a question mark on whether they would get credit for the area that is in the conservation easement since <br /> it is very restricted. Gaffron indicated there are a number of questions that would need to be answered <br /> and they have not been part of this review. <br /> Schwingler noted single-family is not before the Planning Commission tonight. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether multi-family is not allowed within 1,000 feet of the lake. <br /> Gaffron stated the actual wording is as follows: Multiple family developments generally will not be <br /> considered appropriate for lands within 1,000 feet of Lake Minnetonka, nor for areas that have limited <br /> public transportation access to outside employment or shopping facilities. Additionally, County Road 15, <br /> which is the key roadway serving Orono's urban areas,and particularly the Navarre area, is far over <br /> capacity. Gaffron noted in 1980 the City built McCulley Road as a bypass to keep traffic from Mound <br /> and points west heading north so people would not have to take CR15. Gaffron stated it further states that <br /> it is not practical from an economical or environmental standpoint to expand County Road 15 to increase <br /> its capacity. Therefore, additional housing options will be primarily developed along Highway 12. <br /> Gaffron stated if you read all of the language, it does not prohibit it but says these are the City's general <br /> goals and intent. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if there was a meeting with the neighbors where the applicant shook hands and said four <br /> single-family homes. <br /> Wasmoen stated there was a neighborhood meeting and John became emotional at that meeting because <br /> his professionalism was called into question and their intent was called into question. Wasmoen indicated <br /> John came to the podium and was literally in tears. Wasmoen stated he is not standing up here telling <br /> untruths. Wasmoen stated John did become emotional and said that he would put four family homes on <br /> the site. <br /> Page 11 of 30 <br />