01-19-2021 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday,January 19,2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Barnhart said he is confident and comfortable that there is adequate house site. Libby noted that is really what he was trying to define. The bluff conservation was repeatedly addressed and utilized by the Tanager Estates development previously in order to make sure the actual egress and access from County Road 15 was not used to deliver construction materials and do any of the construction on Tanager Estates. He said isn't it interesting how these things can come around full circle again as this second phase of development is in its fruition. The City's conservation of the bluff is really used a little bit differently than when the first part of the development started. Erickson asked regarding the new road with the cul-de-sac, apparently adjoining the property to the east, does that create double-frontage situation in regards to the neighbor's property. If so,what is the City's policy,regulation, or ordinance regarding double frontage lots. Barnhart clarified it does not create a double frontage situation,but creates a corner lot situation,then he noted onscreen there is perhaps a right-of-way situation on the other side. He said there is right-of-way impact setbacks to this existing lot,he believes it is 1125 Millston, so yes,this will abut right-of-way so there will be impacts from a setback standpoint there. Erickson commented that his sense in regards to the heavy traffic on County Road 15,that in addition to a right turn lane as has been suggested for those entering the subdivision,he would like to see exploration of a blend lane for those leaving the subdivision and contemplating going west. There should be something similar to a right-turn lane but is often referred to as a blend lane or acceleration lane to allow people to get up to speed. He thinks that would be a safety enhancement if it were incorporated and realizes ultimately it would be up to Hennepin County to look at that. Chair Ressler noted this is a preliminary plat so this will not be voted on and decided tonight and asked if that is correct. Barnhart said it is a preliminary plat and they are asking for a recommendation to take it to the City Council who will make the final decision. The final plat is the step after that,the City Council will approve that after finding that the final plat is consistent with the approved preliminary plat and any conditions imposed. Chair Ressler thinks there are a few things the Planning Commission needs to address. It is hard for him to recall back to August and he does not recall unanimous support for the previous plat;he thinks there was some feedback provided that they would like to have seen changed. All-in-all it seemed like a pretty reasonable application. Some of the things brought up, Chair Ressler does not think have been addressed in this particular application,one of which is parking for us of the homeowners for boat use. There was discussion about parking being located on the property side not on the lake side, after one turns into the proposed cul-de-sac for guests and homeowners to park, knowing that they will not walk all the way from their house. Chair Ressler does not think that has been properly addressed and for practical use that seems to be lacking some detail as it is. Kirchner asked regarding the wetland located right when one turns into the neighborhood;he assumed an additional square or rectangular parking area could be added to the west off of the driveway or is that not allowable into the wetland area. Barnhart noted there are buffers and setback requirements associated with the wetland. He thinks Kirchner's comment would be"the Planning Commission recommends that some sort of parking plan be Page 11 of 28