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. Oakden stated she did not have an idea of the depths.Referring to the survey, she said they did call out the 929,which is the ordinary high water. She did not have the actual depth of the lake but displayed an image submitted by Mr. Erickson which showed it is relatively shallow due to the vegetation shown. Libby said he agreed with Oakden and that is how he perceived it. He has owned property similar to this; with the vegetation that is there, it is pretty swampy. If you could float a kayak or canoe in there,you would be lucky. Oakden said it does go north of the road. Libby indicated that is where it is the most shallow and thought Staff had some numbers on the depths. Since currently there is a fairly high watermark for the season, he thought it might not be more than two feet at the most. Oakden commented that she is not sure of the depth of the lake at that location. Robert Erickson,365 Westlake Street,said his goal is to combine the land at 365 Westlake Street with the south 127 feet or so of Westlake Street while dedicating land for a new cul-de-sac. He believes this could be accomplished by the approval of a single lot replat resulting from a Class 3 subdivision. The new cul- de-sac would be centered at the same point that was used in 1999 when he received a lot line rearrangement on the east side of Westlake Street for his house at 372 and another lot at 364. At that time the City agreed to a 40-foot radius on the east side of the street. The new additional cul-de-sac area shows a 50-foot radius. The new portion will be big enough to provide on-street parking. Since the area is larger than the amount dedicated,the new 1.16-acre lot will be slightly less nonconforming in the two-acre zone. In addition,he is offering to pay a$100,000 park dedication fee and remove 2,286 square feet of pavement hardcover from the south end of the street; 59%of this hardcover is within the 75-foot setback area.The reduction in hardcover close to the lake will reduce the amount and rate of stormwater runoff and reduce the amounts of unburned hydrocarbons, salt, and sediment entering the lake. The existing "lake access" does not actually provide any access to the lake because the lakeshore has been completely overgrown with aquatic vegetation for a number of years. It is never used because it is not possible to do so. He said two separate portions of the east-west alley on the east side of Westlake were vacated years ago,the most recent in the 1990s.Almost every house on the street has their own lakeshore, so neighbors would not have a use for public access even if it was usable. Easements can be provided for drainage and sanitary sewer maintenance. At the same time, having a dead-end street of substandard width with no cul- de-sac causes frequent problems for delivery trucks, garbage haulers,and lawn services.Fortunately, there have not been any fires or medical emergencies,because Westlake Street is not prepared for them. These problems intensify when anyone parks in the street, which is barely wide enough for two-way traffic. He noted the City maintains a fishing dock at the south end of Stubbs Bay Road which is also used for launching canoes and kayaks. In the winter it is used by snowmobilers and cross-country skiers who also use the nearby Luce Line Trail and improved parking area for Bederwood Park. These existing recreational facilities are within walking distance of Westlake Street.Also on Stubbs Bay is the Eastlake Street access,which adjoins a larger neighborhood of homes without lakeshore. With an underused lake access,it would probably see more use if it were improved. The DNR lake access facility is two miles away on Maxwell Bay with boat ramps, fishing docks, and toilet facilities. It is perhaps the most complete access on Lake Minnetonka. The Hennepin County boat ramp and trailer parking on North Arm is nearby as well. He said he would be glad to answer any questions. Page 26 of 29