09-28-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 14, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 26 proposed a 15-lot subdivision which was quite a bit more dense than proposed today. As part of that proposal the developer needed to provide municipal services. He noted this project is also proposing an expansion of the MUSA but does not propose any change to the land use or change to the density. It is consistent with existing code and is consistent with what the Comprehensive Plan says with the exception of the MUSA boundary. Walsh asked if he could clear up some of the issues from the past. When the developer came and proposed 15 units, it increased the density and because the density was so high, they couldn’t do septic systems at that time because the yard wasn’t big enough. The reason for the denial was the density issue, so it was a moot point for the septic versus being on the MUSA. Over time, they are also looking at the ecological issues of being close to wetlands or being downhill to lakes and having the opportunity to do it correctly the first time so there aren’t any potential problems in the future, and noted the Council has tried to lean that way. He thinks in the sketch plan the Council decided it would be a good situation to look at. Barnhart said the Comprehensive Plan contemplates expansion of the MUSA for all properties, not necessarily high density properties, and there are certain priorities. One of the priorities is proximity to the lake or tributaries and he pointed out on the onscreen map that the left side is basically a tributary to Lake Minnetonka and does meet criteria for expansion of the MUSA. In reviewing the Comp Plan in this proposal, Staff recommends approval of the MUSA expansion. The Met Council establishes a minimum density the City must have in their served areas of 3 units an acre throughout the community. The City is currently at 4.68 units per acre, based on the 2020/2040 Comp Plan; if approved, this proposal would drop that to 4.43 units per acre, noting it is a relatively modest drop. He said that is the point behind the Council putting together the Comp Plan in 2018 that identified the potential for a need to expand the MUSA and provide enough cushion to do so without putting density in areas where they don’t want to put density. Walsh asked for future reference, when they get down to the 4.43, how much flexibility does the 1.43 extra give. Barnhart said he doesn’t know that number. Walsh said that’s always a good number for the Council to remember, so if someone like the Willow and 112 property that they want to look more like Stone Bay, would actually bring the density down, and when the Council has those opportunities, they like to bring it down if they can and understand how much room and flexibility they have. Barnhart noted it’s an interesting question, because it is the number of lots, but it’s also the amount of acreage, so on a big parcel like the Dumas Orchard which is approximately 30 acres, if they were to drop the density from what the guidance is of 20 units/acre down to 3-4 units/acre that would probably have some impact. The Willow property is a relatively small 3 acre piece, so it will impact but not drastically. He said he could include some numbers in a packet. Walsh said yes, that would be a reminder of the tools the Council can use as they look at these developments coming in and try to keep the density down. Printup said across the street on the corner, the Preserve, about 20-30 years ago people were screeching in town because they wanted to develop it, and it would’ve been around 10 homes. Because of the passage of time, and because of the thumb of the Met Council and different regulations, now the City is looking at