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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday, September 21,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Ms. Curtis said she believes the oversight in the demolition permit was that it was a foundation; she <br /> doesn't think they were aware they needed a demolition permit for the pieces of the foundation that were <br /> there. She doesn't believe they were trying to subvert any City regulations. <br /> Bud Dropps, owner of Accent Homes who will be the builder on the project, stated they have a <br /> demolition permit and had permission to cut the trees down,there was a wetland delineation,the <br /> Minnehaha Watershed District came out to look at the property. He noted the creek is not on this <br /> property. <br /> Chair Ressler clarified that whenever there is a situation,the Watershed must weigh in on whether there <br /> are wetlands on the property. <br /> Ms. Curtis said the Watershed District has reviewed the wetland delineation that says no wetlands are <br /> present and that is the official record; it doesn't mean there isn't drainage across the property or seasonal <br /> water, but it isn't a wetland. She noted it's in the property owner's best interest to make sure the water <br /> that comes to the property moves off the property in the way it has been and the engineer has reviewed <br /> the grading plan and approved it. <br /> Chair Ressler noted the final grading would verify the proposed grading that has been approved by the <br /> engineer is met. <br /> Ms. Curtis said the As-Built Survey would confirm that. <br /> Mr. Dropps said they will keep the erosion control in place until turf is established. <br /> Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. <br /> Gettman said regarding the question of whether or not it's wetlands, it's the runoff, and could potentially <br /> have a negative impact with the runoff. The bigger issue he has in looking at the Practical Difficulties is <br /> whether or not this is a Taking, as the property is not conducive to be built upon,there are many issues <br /> and variances to be able to build on the property. This begs the question if it's not buildable,then it's a <br /> Taking, and the City would actually buy it. He understands that the property owner wants to build on it <br /> and enjoy it, and he appreciates that, however it is a horrible location for what has been built around it and <br /> are causing the Difficulties they're trying to deal with. He doesn't have a magic solution and that is what <br /> he's struggling with. As Ms. Johnson noted,there are accidents across County Road(CR) 19, accidents <br /> as they're coming down CR 19, and the new people in the Lakeview Development who will fly by the <br /> area as they're rushing up the hill to turn right onto CR 19. Gettman said it's a very difficult corner to <br /> deal with. He believes everyone should have a right to build on their property with whatever variances <br /> that can be accommodated to enjoy that property, and this one he struggles with because of the location as <br /> its been left for 35 and many things have happened around the property that has made it very difficult to <br /> build on without adverse effects. <br /> Ms. Forcier's husband Jeff Anderson said in talking about the issue of traffic, if they don't build,what is <br /> the City going to do about it. If it's an issue, it should be addressed but it doesn't have anything to do <br /> with the lot and the runoff is off the property and it's not affected by anything on the property. <br /> Gettman said that is his struggle, the runoff literally goes right under the road which is where the <br /> driveway would be. With respect to the traffic, Mr. Anderson is absolutely right,that traffic isn't going <br /> Page 19 of 27 <br />