02-22-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 8, 2021 6:03 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 22 of 26 19. LA20-000048 - TIMOTHY WHITTEN O/B/O I. JACOBS/A. JACOBS REVOCABLE TRUST, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT - RESOLUTION – Continued Walsh said what he is reading in this is the County is saying “we don’t want to do this, but if you come up with something that shows it has to be and you have some analysis that shows us, we’re putting that burden on you.” That is basically what they are saying which is the same thing Mattick said. Johnson read from the screen “the City engineering is welcome to come to a different conclusion,” so are they the local authority having jurisdiction. Mattick said they are. If the City wants to pay for a full engineering study that somehow says the County took a pass on this one, we’re going to dig in and prove that those turn lanes are absolutely necessary based on sound engineering criteria, then they are free to do so. He said they do not have that right now; what they have are inclinations that it is busy down there. Walsh stated the County could say in the end, “now we agree with your point but for $4,000,000 we’re not going to do this; however, if the City wants to come up with $4,000,000 you can do it.” It looks like the County has given their general answer. Johnson does not know the context of this email, and he does not know how many lots they were talking about at the time. Barnhart said it was 7 lots at the time of the email. Johnson is in favor of putting a motion together that tables the application until the City Council has clarity about what turn lanes are feasible by the County. Walsh said it sounds like they already know – they just answered it right there. Johnson stated the County just said they are not going to pay for it, so is this a condition of the development. Barnhart replied no, the attached letter is a condition of the development. Staff put in as a recommended condition that Hennepin County approval of the road access/intersection - and they could certainly add the word turn lane(s) in there – is what they put in as a condition of approval for the preliminary plat. Touching back on the timeline, it is situated such that Barnhart is asking for direction tonight and he will come back with a resolution of either approval or denial at the next City Council meeting. He does not have the authority to extend the timeline himself. Crosby said unless he is missing something he does not see how the City Council can deny this. Walsh stated they are not looking for any more input right now. Crosby noted if everything is done as required, everything is fitting in, they cannot hold their hand in the air and say they do not like five houses, they want three or two. He would say put one house but they cannot do that. Walsh said that is true.