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. out another lot,because it is about land development and making money with the dirt available. Builders don't have anything to build on unless they have dirt,and developers play a key role in bringing housing to market. He thinks it is a very much improved plan from the first time.He deals with subsurface treatments and the engineers that design it, and it is pretty remarkable what they can do with subsurface treatment. The use of tanking and pumping is closely regulated by the State,just like all the other elements of the conservation district,DNR, etc.There are so many eyes, ears, and scrutiny in a development that it takes a long time to put it together to a point where, all of a sudden, construction traffic shows up and the contractors/subcontractors are there in large numbers. You don't build 5-10,000 square foot houses in a couple of months; it takes quite a while to do that. It is an adjustment for neighbors, and what better way than to know the developer and builders, have a dialogue with them so they are respectful about their private property rights and quiet enjoyment. He stated he would tend to favor the sketch plan,because he is very hands-on about how long it takes to move a project along and the builders/developers are very seasonally timed. The amount of progress one can make in moving something forward is going to be predicated on how short the season is. Holes can be dug and concrete poured well into October and November. The sketch plan is greatly improved from the first time, and he would be in favor of approving it as a sketch plan. Barnhart pointed out it is a preliminary plat and not a sketch plan. Libby stated he stands corrected. Erickson said his view of the plan mirrors Bollis'. It could be improved slightly with a small outlot in the corner of the one lot. He was reasonably comfortable with the five-lot plan and now it is less dense with the four-lot plan. Kirchner noted he was not a member of the Planning Commission when it was presented the first time. Referencing the preliminary plat map,he indicated in the top left portion where the road comes in off of Orono Orchard Road is a black circle,and he asked if the triangle is what could become an outlot. Barnhart stated Kirchner was correct. Kirchner said if the ability is there to make Lot 1 conforming,he would like to see that occur by making that triangle an outlot and making Lot 1 wider where it needs to be. With the exception of that,he thinks it is a good plan and the Commission should continue to rely on Staff to review and follow through on things that may be over the Commissioners' heads in technical terms as far as the sewage, septic tanks and drainage fields, and how they apply to the land. Ressler noted that it was good feedback. His opinion lies in agreement with the Staff recommendation and making it subject to the conditions, including Engineering and Planning comments.He said it does not appear that the Planning Commission is voting to approve any substandard lots; he would not be onboard with approving any substandard lots.The Commission does not need to create any more problems,but they need to allow people to develop property that they own. He thinks it is prudent to recommend approval subject to conditions that include Engineering and Planning comments, but he does not think it is necessary to table the matter until they can see it because he does not know of a circumstance based on the feedback that is going to change his opinion. His opinion is going to rely upon the experts to provide the insight on whether or not it is sufficient. Gettman stated he had nothing to add to the comments the other Commissioners made. Page 21 of 29