05-18-2020 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,May 18,2020 6:00 o'clock p.m. discussed today. He stated they could make the small triangle on Orono Orchard Road a small outlot if needed and put a monument there to come into compliance. Ressler asked Mr. Quinlivan if he could be available for follow-up questions,which was agreed to. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. Mr.Mark Sponsler, 169 Meadow Lane, said their property backs up to the creek and the current driveway that will become Outlot A. He noted the driveway runs adjacent to Long Lake Creek, and they are concerned about the impact of having a hard-surface road 6-10 feet away from the creek. He asked if the existing house on the property is included in the four lots that are being proposed to build. Mr. Quinlivan said their engineer will be required to take drainage to holding ponds so it would not impact the creek. That will be done in compliance with the Watershed District and feedback from their engineer.The existing house is included as part of the four lots.The house would either stay or the people that bought the lot would take it down. Mr. Sponsler stated they have lived adjacent to the property for 25 years. It is one of the few remaining wildlife/natural areas in western Hennepin County and Orono. They see 8-10 deer on the property any afternoon year-round. He asked the Commissioners to give some consideration as to whether every last square foot of land in Hennepin County/Long Lane/Orono will be built out. He stated that it is a sentimental observation as someone who has looked at the property for 25 years.He asked the Commission to respectfully consider what they have offered as their point of view. Jamie Lowe, 105 Orono Orchard Road,said he lives in the house that directly borders Lot 1. Part of their house faces Orono Orchard Road and the back side of the house mirrors the YMCA lot. Their house is wedged into that space. His concern is they have not heard any word from the developer.They will be significantly impacted by this development, and he understands it will be developed,but he wanted it noted there has been zero communication. He said as he read through the packet prepared by Staff, it was ambiguous around the details. For example, Barnhart noted it is a beautiful plot of land with significant conservation design supporting the property. He stated the north side of his house sort of backs into the new road on the corner. He asked Barnhart to identify on the site plan the area he was speaking about, which Barnhart complied with,and then asked how that space would be addressed.After asking if anyone had walked the property,Bollis raised his hand. Mr. Lowe stated there is lots of vegetation. He asked exactly what that will look like and how that will impact his home. He also asked what the detailed landscape budget is,because often there are cost overruns and the budget can be diminished,and he wants to ensure that does not happen. He also asked the applicant if he was building spec homes or if the land will be sold and then homes are built. He would like to know exactly where the home on Lot 1 will be positioned,noting it looks like it would be behind the carriage house that was built 6-7 years ago. He wanted to know how many trees and how much dirt will be removed and what the height of the homes in Lot 1 and 2 will be. He appreciates it is a sketch plan,but it seems appropriate that detailed questions are answered and specifics provided. Mr. Quinlivan said all of the houses will be custom built. The house locations as shown on the lots are placeholders and are dependent if they build a rambler or a two-story, 90-degree angle garage vs. a front- loading garage. As they build,they will have to be in compliance with the ordinances for setbacks.He imagines the people moving into the lots, due to the cost, are going to want as much screening as the Page 18 of 29