03-17-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 17, 1997 • ( #2 - #2212 Sidney and Barbara Rebers - Continued) Gaffron informed the Planning Commissioners that Staff recommends approval of the conversion of Outlot E to buildable lot status under conditions 1 -5 as noted in the Staff memo. The applicant's representative, Steve Pflam related the history behind the subject property as it relates to development of Sugar Woods and Highway 12. He indicated that the service road has been opposed to by the property owners. This opposition is indicated by the number of conditions placed upon the outlots and their future development. Pflam indicated the property owner, Mr. Sid Rebers, has a potential buyer of the property who would like to maintain the existing access. Rebers does not want to pay for the frontage road. Pflam said Rebers believes he has legal access to Hwy 12 which would not preclude the City from building the service road or eliminating access to either. Pflam said the issue is one of restricting property by the placement of conditions relating to a frontage road. He also believes the property owner should not be assessed for the frontage road as it would be a public road connecting to other public roads. Pflam believes the purpose for the frontage road is eliminated by the relocation of Hwy 12. Pflam does not believe the lot status should be tied to the frontage road. Pflam said the issue of the median can be addressed by addressing the triangular piece of land owned by Mn/DOT and allowing • access from Brimhall Lane to Hwy 12. Lindquist inquired about the curb cut from Hwy 12 into the property. Gaffron said the Hwy 12 improvement plan notes the 1979 curb cut but does not define the location of the curb cut. Mr. Rebers said the original curb cut included a cut to Outlot F, originally for access to a residential property owned by Hazel Meyers and was moved to Outlot E. He indicated there is still a curb cut to Brown Road but an increase to the size of the holding pond would restrict the curb cut. Rebers said he had planted a buffer of trees between the residential and commercial areas, and the frontage road would be forced to run along the yards of the homes in Sugar Woods. He reported having had many offers to purchase the property but has waited to sell until receiving an offer from a compatible use like the bank to protect the sensitivity of the area. Rebers noted the service road by the Otten property nearly touches Dickey Lane to the north. Rebers indicated the highway department has said no more improvements would occur on Brown Road in regards to a stoplight and indicated U -turns are legal if no postings are made. Rebers said he does not wish access to enter his property from the Wear property. During public comments, Cliff Otten indicated he did not want a service road. He noted the service road was considered due to the future development of Hwy 12. He had requested the road be placed to the rear of his property but he feels this was a mistake as he subsequently lost 30' to the Hwy 12 safety improvements. Otten said he does not • believe the need for the service road exists any longer. 8