02-13-2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the applicant subsequently engaged the services of a consulting ecologist to address the Conservation Design goals and objectives, and on November 18, 2005 submitted the ecological findings and recoirimendations as well as on-site sewage treatment systems information, making the application complete and formally commencing the 120-day review period; and WHEREAS, the Planning Conunission on November 21, 2005 reviewed the application and recorrunended on a vote of 6-0 that the Council grant Planned Residential Developrnent (PRD)preliminary plat approval subject to: 1) incorporation into plans of all of the recommendations of Applied Ecological Services regarding conservation design, landscaping, etc.; 2) applicant to address comments by City wetland consultant John Smyth; 3) Conservation Easement to be required over east end of Lots 1-2-3 Block 2 as well as over Outlot B; and 4) additional conditions with regards to covenants for protection of septic sites on small lots, etc. be addressed; and WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the completed Planned Residential Development proposal at regular meetings held on December 12, 2005; January 23, 2006; and February 13, 2006 and hereby makes the following findings with regards to this application: FINDINGS 1. This application was reviewed as Zoning File #OS-3152. 2. The property is zoned RR-1B Single Family Rural Residential District, which normally requires a minimum lot area of 2.0 acres and minimum lot width of 200' The Property is 16.7 acres in area, of which 2.4 acres is wetland and 14.3 acres is non-wetland area. 3. The property is guided in the 2000-2020 Orono Coinrntu-iity Management Plan (CMP) for single family residential use at a density of 1 unit per 2 acres. The proposed layout contains 6 lots on 14.3 non-wetland acres, for an overall density of 1 unit per 2.4 dry acres. 4. The Property contains a variety of natural features including wooded areas, open fields, steep slopes, wetlands, natural drainageways, and discontinuous areas of dry buildable land. The property was ideiitified during the Orono Rural Oasis visioning process as having long natural views from Watertown Road of wetlands with a wooded backdrop, that should be preserved if possible during development of the property. The COlII1C11 f111C1S that the best development method For preserving these values is development as a Plaruied Residential Development. Page 2 of 12