06-22-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 8, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 21 some land to make the cul-de-sac in addition to making a donation and getting rid of all of the hardcover. So, it seems like a reasonable use as far as cleaning some of the spots up. Crosby stated the cul-de-sac will add a lot to the end of the road and make it safer, and vehicles will be able to turn around because no one can turn around there. Printup said when it comes to public accesses, he gets edgy not wanting to give up the land. But there are three City improvements, and he thinks it is one of the areas that makes sense. Walsh noted it makes sense especially when there are a bunch of accesses in the area that are well-done and just blocks away. He said this will clean up an area that is screaming to get cleaned up. Johnson asked what the conforming radius of a cul-de-sac is. Walsh said it is 50 or 60. He believes 50 feet is being proposed. Johnson stated he met with Mr. Erickson, and as he was there, a car came down the street and turned around in Mr. Erickson’s driveway. He is not a huge advocate of getting rid of public accesses, but when they are not usable and there is some public benefit with the cul-de-sac, that is important. He asked if where he is doing the lot combination is a two-acre zoning district so that it cannot be undone. Walsh said Johnson was right. He noted the zoning can always be changed, but it would not set a very good precedent. Oakden stated 365 Westlake used to be multiple small lots that are already combined. City Staff would review how to get the vacated road to the 365 property and Mr. Erickson will give up some land for the right-of-way to create the cul-de-sac. That balance maintains the substandard lot in a sense, because you are taking some land with the road but giving up some land for the cul-de-sac. Johnson clarified the area is zoned two-acre but had eight lots on it. Oakden said at one time it was multiple small lots. Johnson indicated he thinks there is a net gain for the City and it makes it better. Walsh stated this was a guidance suggestion and Mr. Erickson has guidance, and the next step is to take it to the Planning Commission in a formal setting and then back to the Council. Crosby noted it would be an improvement to the whole neighborhood when it is done. Oakden said there would be a DNR review when it is a lake access point, so that adds a few more days to the review process. Staff will work with the Applicant. 17. LA20-000030 – ERIC LUTH O/B/O YMCA GREATER TWIN CITIES AND GORDON JAMES INC., 135 ORONO ORCHARD ROAD, PRELIMINARY PLAT Staff presented a summary of the packet memorandum.