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AGENDA ITEM <br />Prepared By: J. Barnhart Reviewed By: DJR Approved By: DJR <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1. Purpose. Approve the proposed changes to the Subdivision Code. <br /> <br />2. Background. At its meeting on August 13th, the Council received the subdivision code proposal <br />developed by city staff and the City attorney. The Council requested that the draft be sent to area <br />surveyors for their input. The draft was sent on August 18th to the following surveyors and <br />engineers who represent subdivision projects since 2018. <br />Eric Luth Sambatek <br />Mark Gronberg Gronberg and Associates <br />Sam Civil Site Group <br />Mark Rausch Alliant Engineering <br />Steve Eggert Lakewest Development <br /> <br />The draft was also shared with members and guests of the Code Review Committee on August <br />20th. <br /> <br />The one comment received to date regards the definition of dry-buildable. The commenter <br />questions why steep slopes would be excluded from the calculation as in certain cases, a walk out <br />basement could generate slopes of 22+ degrees. <br /> <br />Staff does not propose substantive changes to the dry buildable definition; the changes reflect the <br />current definition in the zoning code and the desire that these definitions be consistent throughout <br />the city code. <br /> <br />A change to the dry-buildable definition to include steep slopes would likely result in reduced <br />“effectively” buildable areas of lots as steep slopes reduce areas for septic systems and house <br />pads without major grading effort. In unsewered areas, the dry buildable calculation is a critical <br />component in developing a subdivision. Note that steep slopes are a major feature of the <br />subdivision at 135 Orono Orchard Road and allowing them to be counted as ‘buildable’ could <br />result in additional lots. <br /> <br />All changes are shown, new text is underlined, and text to be deleted is struck-through. <br /> <br />3. Planning Commission Vote and Comment. The Planning Commission voted 5-1 (Bollis) on a <br />motion to approve the changes to the subdivision code as proposed. <br /> <br />4. Public Comment. The only comment received to date is attached as Exhibit B. <br /> <br />5. Staff Recommendation. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as drafted. <br /> <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED <br />City Council should provide staff direction. <br /> <br /> <br /> Item No.: 16 Date: September 14, 2020 <br />Item Description: LA19-000065, City of Orono Text Amendment Related to <br />Subdivisions <br />Presenter: Jeremy Barnhart, AICP <br />Community Development Director <br />Agenda <br />Section: <br />Planning Department <br />Report