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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, February 18, 2020 <br />6:00 p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> <br />Oakden stated that she believes the City Engineer has provided comments for the applicant to look into <br />this possibility. <br /> <br />Erickson stated that he has own homes that had septic and others than had sanitary sewer. He stated that <br />personally, he recommends that if you are in MUSA that it be used, if it can be used. <br /> <br />Ressler asked what the alternative to the cul-de-sac would look like. <br /> <br />Oakden stated that there is no alternative. She explained that the applicant is proposing the cul-de-sac <br />option and hoping for Commission feedback. She stated that if the Commission did not support this <br />layout it would be up to the applicant to come up with an alternative. <br /> <br />Libby stated that he understands that this the sketch plan phase, but noticed that two of the lots has visible <br />evidence of new driveway turn arounds. He questioned whether, in new construction, there is a current <br />requirement that the driveway have the ability to have a turn around to go back out again for an <br />emergency vehicle. <br /> <br />Oakden stated that there is not necessarily a requirement but noted that the City does require there to be <br />turn around avenues on tighter lots. <br /> <br />Curtis noted that it was not for emergency vehicle turn around, but rather that these homes could front out <br />on a busy road. <br /> <br />John Newell, 1485 County Road 6, stated that he has been involved with this property since he was 21 <br />years old and knew the previous owners. He explained that he cut the driveway into this house as well. <br />He stated that he now owns the house and the property. He stated that he had spoken with Staff quite a <br />few times before he put pen to paper to try and get as much information as possible, however some things <br />have transpired since they put pen to paper. He stated that one of the neighbors that adjoins the property <br />have expressed interest in purchasing Lot 3 and not developing it. He stated that if that happens, then <br />they probably wouldn’t need to bring in a cul-de-sac. He stated that ideally, he would keep this area rural <br />if at all possible. He stated that they are planning to release the wetlands to the DNR. He explained that <br />they have not received a written offer, but if Lot 3 is sold, the property will stay exactly as it is. <br /> <br />Libby asked if Mr. Newell had any interest in using the existing infrastructure with the sewer connections <br />rather than going with private septic and well systems. <br /> <br />Mr. Newell stated that his understanding was that there was no connection possible because of the private <br />properties and the creek. He noted that he didn’t believe there is a lot of significant material on the lower <br />2 lots and explained that most recently it was mostly buckthorn. He stated that the previous owners hayed <br />this property. He stated that were the original house is there are maples, basswoods, and oaks and this <br />would not be affected by Lot 1 and Lot 3. He reiterated that he does not see a way to connect to the <br />sanitary sewer system in a way that would be approved by the DNR. <br /> <br />Ressler stated that he thinks the layout is sensible and noted that one thing the City looks for is the width <br />of the roads and ensure that the cul-de-sacs are adequate in order to easily provide turn around for