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. MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,December 12, 2005 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (8. #OS-3152 BOHLAND DEI�ELOPtYIENT ONBEHALF OF JAMES D. MACKINNON, ET <br /> AL, "3500" �d�ATERTOI�T�NROAD, Co�rtiniced) <br /> Bohl stated in his opinion the Watershed District's comments would be important in this application. <br /> Dick Kroeger, 65 Stubbs Bay Road North, inquired why not four lots could be created rather than six. <br /> Jim Mackinnon,Applicant, stated this applieation came in tuider the existing ordinances and that a plan <br /> was presented proposing six lots with no variances. Mackinnon indicated the City requested this process <br /> and that in his opinion he is entitled to six lots. <br /> Peterson stated Mackimlon is refen-ing to the Rural Oasis. <br /> White stated the Rural Oasis deals with the view of a development. <br /> Murphy stated one of the issues they are exploring in Orono is how to avoid a cookie cutter appr•oach to <br /> land development. Murphy stated the applicant could have gone ahead and developed six lots,but that <br /> the City recommended that the developer consider the requirements of the Rural Oasis Plan that was <br /> recently adopted by the City. <br /> Gaffron stated the Council has discussed a ntunber of concerns,but pointed out that the proposed houses <br /> do not have back yards,which might create issues in the fiiture such as additional retaining walls and <br /> grading. <br /> Murphy inquired what the definition of a back yard is. <br /> Gaffron stated every lot within this development has a drop off area and that retaining walls are required <br /> to create a back yard. Gaffron stated on Lot 3 a 10 to 12-foot high retaining wall would be required. <br /> Gaffi�on indicated with the lots on the west side of the road, there is a swale located directly behind the <br /> hotises and that probably is not an ideal situation. <br /> Murphy stated for discussion purposes the Council should assume that not eveiybody wants a back yard. <br /> Gaffron reconunended that covenants Ue in place olttlining the City's vision for this area. <br /> Bohl stated they would be doing site grading as each individual pad is designed. Bohl indicated there are <br /> ways that the first floor elevation does not need to be above the stc-eet level but that it is recommended to <br /> help insure proper drainage. Bohl stated on larger lots they are able to place a house ttu-ee to four feet <br /> lower than the road and tllat the larger lots allow them to custom fit the house onto the lot. <br /> Bohl stated the conservation easements do make sense to maintain the tree buffer. <br /> Mackimion stated typically you do not:use your back yard on larger yards the way you do on a city lot <br /> and that in his view the children would utilize the fi-ont yard given the topography of the area. <br /> Murphy recommended the City have restrictive covenants for this area to help preserve ihe existing <br /> topography. <br /> Bohl connnented that perhaps the amour�t of grading could Ue restricted somewhat. <br /> PAG� 15 of 20 <br />