05-28-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETEING Monday, MAY 13, 2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. 23. XERXES AWARD Farniok noted the Orono Police Department was one of two departments that received the Award for Innovation. Orono received this award for their community service dog program. Xerxes is utilized on mental health crises and medical calls, and is there for officers, staff, and the public. Xerxes is a great asset to the department and community. Xerxes' handlers have put a lot of time into making sure that he gets out into the community and makes a difference. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 24. LA19-000018 — CHRIS AND RACHEL BOLLIS, 350 STUBBS BAY ROAD NORTH, PRELIMINARY PLAT — RESOLUTION NO. Barnhart stated the applicants are proposing the subdivision of this approximately 10 -acre property into two buildable lots, each meeting the minimum lot area size and frontage requirements. One of the lots is uniquely shaped and offers limited buildable area since the building line falls in the wetland. The width of the lot is normally measured at the building setback line. This lot does meet the width requirements as adjusted and the development of the property is consistent with the City's zoning ordinances and Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission reviewed this application at their April 15 meeting. The main discussion at the meeting involved the requirement of the cul-de-sac and the private road width. The applicant is proposing a hammerhead turn -around versus a cul-de-sac. Even though the fire chief supports a hammerhead configuration, City Code requires a cul-de-sac to facilitate the turning movements of large vehicles, including emergency vehicles, school buses, garbage/refuse haulers, and delivery trucks. After a lengthy discussion, the Planning Commission did not support the hammerhead. In addition, the property owner is proposing pavement width of 20 feet. City Code requires a 24 -foot width. The applicant has indicated that the reduced width protects existing screening evergreen trees. Staff did not support the deviation from the width, but the Planning Commission supported a 24 -foot width for the first 50 feet, which would coincide with the first driveway serving the adjacent property, and the remainder being 20 feet wide. Ultimately the Planning Commission did recommend approval of the preliminary plat subject to Staff's recommended five conditions, with Condition No. 3 being amended regarding the driveway width. The applicants have stated the decrease in width of the roadway is necessary to protect some existing screening on the property. Staff recommends the City Council adopt the resolution as drafted. George Stickney, Developer, provided the City Council with a tree delineation survey that was conducted on the property. Stickney stated at first they were not objecting to the 24 -foot width for the first 50 feet, but upon further study it was determined that if the road was 24 feet wide, it would be within two feet of the dripline of the tree. The neighbors on both sides of this property do not want to see the trees removed or damaged since the trees are in very good condition. A 20 -foot width works just fine but 24 feet is too wide, especially since there is not enough room on the north end to construct the road to that width without damaging the trees.