10-11-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, September 20, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 to cut into a rather steep hill to make room and put a significant retaining wall around it. He would prefer not to do that but use what he has submitted in his application. Kirchner opened the public hearing at 6:17 p.m. Linda Thrasher, 356 Westlake Street, wants to reaffirm her approval of what Mr. Erickson is suggesting. She is a landowner on the street and has spent a lot of time with Mr. and Mrs. Erickson to understand what they are doing, noting they have been incredibly accommodating. The street could use some help and improvement and the Preliminary Plat works well for Mr. Erickson, but also for the neighbors. It is thoughtful, attractive, and will be an additive to the neighborhood. Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:18 p.m. Libby noted he was in favor of this a year ago when they first reviewed it, he spent a considerable amount of time walking and inspecting the site. He was able to see firsthand how difficult it was for the maintenance truck to pull up to the facility, do the work, and turn around. He thinks the proposal by the Applicant is practical and will improve the safety and practical nature for the City in doing the maintenance there. He supports improvement. Ressler was in support of the vacation. Regarding the cul-de-sac, the City has seen applications and rigidity in the ability to approve conventional or conforming cul-de-sacs as defined by the City, and a hard line has been taking. Knowing that, he feels that will be the City Council’s belief, as well. He would like to see the 40-foot radius amended because this is the chance to get it right. He respects Mr. Erickson’s desire in keeping it at 40 feet, he also thinks the City Council would probably like to see it conforming. Based on that reason, he would like to see a 50 foot radius on the east and west sides. Bollis echoed Ressler’s concerns. He thinks it would make more sense to have a conforming cul-de-sac created there and it needs to go farther to the west. He believes the main reason for vacating the roadway was to have a conforming cul-de-sac for benefit to the public. Bollis would like to see it get as close to conforming as possible. Kirchner agrees regarding the cul-de-sac. He stated regarding the MCWD requirements, it would only be appropriate to include those as this project could take another 1-20 years to complete and regulations may change. Ressler moved, Libby seconded, to approve LA21-000057, 365 Westlake Street, Preliminary Plat based on the contingencies of Staff recommendations to try and make the 50-foot radius of the cul- de-sac and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District approval. Barnhart has heard Commissioners talking about shifting the cul-de-sac and clarified Staff’s recommendation is simply to add a 10-foot easement adjacent to parcel 10. He asked if the will of the Commission is rather than acquire that 10-foot easement, to shift it to the west? Ressler clarified his motion: he is not opposed to either. He feels they have been quite rigid about requirements for cul-de-sacs so however they get there is his motion. Kirchner agreed; however it gets there to get a conforming cul-de-sac overall.