01-14-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO TRUTH-IN-TAXATION/CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 10, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 19 The City’s Transportation Plan reflects regional transportation plans developed by Hennepin County and comments received from Medina. No new corridors were proposed in the update. One of the comments of the Metropolitan Council was to make the bus system more attractive to users to help alleviate traffic in certain areas. Some of the comments received related to high traffic levels on Shoreline Drive. Barnhart stated due to existing traffic levels, improvements in the Navarre area are somewhat challenging but Hennepin County’s Transit Advantage Plan provides some alternatives to no new development. In order to prevent larger scale expansion of the MUSA and introduction of density in the rural areas, increased opportunity for density had to be added in the Navarre and northern Orono areas. The Committee applied density in areas where they felt it was most appropriate, given transportation networks, neighboring land uses, and services available. The sewer plan includes one small expansion of the MUSA to serve a possible development on Wildhurst, which was supported by the City Council in October. As it relates to the City’s water plan, it includes expansion of water into two areas on the north side of Orono. The plan notes that water storage in the Navarre area is currently at a slight deficit, which can be remedied with a larger tank, water conservation, or other methods, and is something to monitor over the next ten years. At this time, however, the deficit is not at a level that requires immediate attention. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their November meeting. A commissioner had some questions about the housing equation and it was pointed out that the Metropolitan Council does provide a good deal of information to help the City develop this plan. The Planning Commission did recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan on a vote of 6-0. Staff has prepared a resolution for approval, which directs Staff to submit the plan to the Metropolitan Council. Based on their review, the Metropolitan Council could come back with some response and then the City will have an opportunity to formally approve the plan. Walsh stated the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee was comprised of people from all different backgrounds who undertook the task of reviewing every chapter of the zoning code and section of the Comprehensive Plan. The overall arching theme was that Orono was keeping things consistent as much as possible. Some changes have been made along the Highway 112 corridor to accommodate higher density because it was felt that was a better area for higher density than any other spot in Orono. In addition, the City held a number of open houses to allow residents to have input and to ask questions. Crosby stated it is important to explain how the Metropolitan Council is involved and how the City is required to meet some of their goals. Dankey stated otherwise the City might not be allowed to be within the MUSA system. Barnhart stated state statute requires a city to adopt a Comprehensive Plan. Since Orono is within the 7-county metro area, Orono’s plan goes through the Metropolitan Council. The Metropolitan Council applies a share of the anticipated growth to each community, and each community has to accommodate that perceived or planned growth, which is where the range comes in. Every time there is a residential development, the Metropolitan Council asks for a range and then they look at the lowest number to see whether the City complies. Some cities are more appropriate or likely to have certain types of