08-12-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, July 15, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Barnhart stated expansion of the MUSA would help create safe sanitary service near the lake and city sanitary sewer is the preferred option. Just because Orono is expanding the MUSA, that does not mean the City has to provide the service. Erickson stated he is totally in favor of expanding the MUSA. Erickson asked whether consideration has been given to the existing depth of the water and that he does not want this to create a navigation issue. Barnhart stated it is his belief the DNR will be reviewing that. Ressler asked if this approval would be contingent upon those other approvals. Barnhart stated the Planning Commission's recommendation would be to amend the Comprehensive Plan and that any permit would be conditioned upon the requirements of the DNR and the City. Scott Gates, Applicant, stated he is here to answer any questions and that he has appeared before the Planning Commission previously on this application. The pipe will need to go ten feet below the surface of the water, but that could be subject to change if some type of obstacle is encountered. The pipe basically has to be below the bottom of the lakeshore. Gates indicated there would be a joint operating agreement with the City of Mound and the City of Orono. This will be considered a private service and that basically Mound will allow a connection at the street and the owner will be responsible for the maintenance of the pipe. What is before the Planning Commission this evening is a Comprehensive Plan Amendment asking the Metropolitan Council to amend Orono's Comprehensive Plan. Once that approval is received, the property owner will need to apply for permits. Gates stated long term this is a good solution and that whenever you are on the lake and you can eliminate a septic system, it makes sense. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Gettman commented it is a pretty straight forward request and that he does not see any issues with the application. Bollis stated he is in agreement and it makes a lot of sense to eliminate a septic system on the lake whenever possible. Erickson stated he appreciates the applicant's willingness to take a long-term approach to this. Libby indicated he is in favor of this because there has been conscientious consideration of the environmental impacts by the applicant and that the technology used nowadays has gotten substantially better over the years. Libby stated he would be in favor of it provided all the other authorities approve of the request. Page 2 of 3