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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday, September 21,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> as is the concern of many of the surrounding property owners, and her understanding is that the lot is <br /> unbuildable and they've been told that over time by the City Planners in decades past. The main reason <br /> it's unbuildable is because of the 50 foot setback from County Road 19 and the other issue is the septic <br /> system,the City of Orono has benefitted from a 2-acre comprehensive plan and yes,there are some <br /> provisions that afford combinations for smaller sites. She thinks she just heard them say it does meet all <br /> of the requirements, but she believes this plan doesn't actually meet the 50 foot setback and that it doesn't <br /> meet the setback on the North side. <br /> Ms. Curtis clarified it is a 30 foot setback from County Road 19. <br /> Ms.Johnson also has a concern around the watershed,noting the McKinney development and six homes <br /> North of the corner, a peak with elevation,and all of that land drains into a creek which runs into Ms. <br /> Johnson's backyard, and then heads South toward the backside of 350 North Arm and ultimately drains in <br /> the space between 4780 and 4760,running into a huge culvert that goes under North Arm and creates the <br /> river/creek that runs into Lakeview Lake. Ms. Johnson noted there is so much water in the spring, it <br /> appears to be a rushing creek, and the backside of 4780 has significant water drainage in a flood plain all <br /> spring and she wants to make sure the Minnehaha Watershed has reviewed the owners plan. She asked <br /> regarding the new septic system, will the City be setting precedence to allow .5-acre property owners to <br /> have a new septic system that doesn't have a mound and doesn't have the requirements under 780200 A <br /> and B? She also understands the new septic system must be pumped every fifty days and asked how that <br /> will be handled by the owner. <br /> Chair Ressler asked to address the questions one at a time. <br /> Ms. Johnson asked about the new septic system, as her understanding is everyone who lives in Orono <br /> must have a mound. <br /> Ms. Curtis answered everyone in Orono doesn't have to have a mound type system, but they must have a <br /> compliant system, and there are different types of systems. She noted this is a system that requires a <br /> maintenance plan, as it isn't a standard trench or mound system,but has a maintenance component over <br /> and above one of those systems. She stated it is an acceptable system and the Building Official has <br /> approved the system. <br /> Ms. Johnson asked if there are any others like it in the City. <br /> Ms. Curtis replied she doesn't know. <br /> Chair Ressler believes there is soil testing to see how fast the water percolates. <br /> Ms. Curtis said they've done the testing on the site and this is the type of system that has been designed to <br /> work and is acceptable. <br /> Libby said any design that is done must be by a licensed, credentialed, Minnesota Department of Health <br /> design engineer. <br /> Ms. Johnson noted many surrounding areas have a mound and have had to update their mound systems at <br /> great expense to meet City requirements, and she asked if this will create precedence so other <br /> homeowners can look into this system that takes up less space and may be more suitable. <br /> Page 17 of 27 <br />