09-14-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, August 17, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 7 4. LA19-000048 WHITTEN AND ASSOCIATES O/B/O IRWIN L JACOBS 2018 REVOCABLE TRUST, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT, 8:07 P.M. – 8:53 P.M. Tim Whitten and Mark Gronberg (representing the Jacobs Family Trust), Applicants were present. Staff presented a summary packet of information. Barnhart added three conditions suggested by Staff with approval subject to those: 1) Watershed District Approval 2) Hennepin County Approval for the driveway 3) Engineering comments. Ressler noted the average lakeshore setback was something he didn’t think about, and said obviously this is unique in that they’re on both sides. When they’re talking about multiple sites, in looking at them individually, Site No. 3 and part of Site No. 2 would by definition be lake-ward of that setback and asked if that was correct. Barnhart answered that based on the line currently, Lots 2 and 3 for certain are in front of that average lakeshore setback as based on the current homes on either side. Ressler asked if this was different because it’s an entire development, rather than a typical application where it’s an individual property and the Commission has typically drawn a hard line on lakeshore setback precedents. He asked if this would expose the Commission on any sort of precedents going forward. Barnhart said regarding most of the subdivisions adjacent to the lake, there is a prescribed average lakeshore setback line because they don’t know when projects are going to be built. He noted if Lot 3 was the last lot to be built on, they may not have an issue because it would be based on where Lot 2 is, but again he stated they don’t know that timing and it greatly impacts what is marketable in terms of what pad can a buyer look at. He said it’s not uncommon for them to do it at the time of a subdivision, as that is how it was done for 690 Brown Road and for a project on Mooney Lake. He said they may set a precedent but the process has already been established earlier. His suggestion is that this would only apply to the initial construction. For example, Lot 3 builds a home in 2021 and they add on to it in 2050, he doesn’t want to come back to find this resolution, what was the average lakeshore setback at the time. McCutcheon asked what the main motivation is for not using Heritage Lane. Barnhart answered that the County would prefer that all access not use County Roads, so by shifting the traffic on Heritage Lane there is no new intersection on Shoreline and from that perspective the County thinks that is advantageous. During the sketch plan, the Planning Commission and the City Council heard pretty clearly that it was not a desirable option. Ressler asked as it’s applied right now, will Heritage Lane be the primary access for this construction. Barnhart answered no, access is proposed via Shoreline, there will be no vehicular connection between this portion of the project in Heritage Lane. He said there will be a sanitary sewer main from Heritage Lane that routes through the subdivision, but no vehicular connection.