07-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 13, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 16 of 19 Mattick stated that although it has been a while since he looked at the information, he believes the 66% rule applies to existing lots, not necessarily the creation of new lots. An unidentified individual said they are existing lots. Mr. Puzak stated it does address lot combinations and gives some leeway to possibilities. Mattick said Staff could dig into the details. Traditionally on a sketch plan the question is, do you like it or not, and then give feedback. Walsh stated if there is an exception to a rule he is not familiar with, he would be more than happy to listen to what it is. He suggested tabling the matter and having the Applicant come back in a couple weeks so there is more information. It is a no-go for him to approve a substandard lot. If there is an exception that says there’s a different rule that applies, he is willing to hear what it is. Mr. Puzak asked if the Council would consider a hammerhead turnaround instead of a cul-de-sac. Johnson noted everyone wants to go to the hammerhead. Walsh said if a school bus, garbage truck, or fire truck is on the road, they can’t turn around and would be backing up in the lake. If it is going to be done, it will be done right. They can look at a hammerhead as a possibility, but those are the things that get weighed. Mr. Puzak stated they originally put forth drawings with a 40-foot radius and 50-foot turning which accommodates the largest fire trucks and it takes up about half as much hardcover. Walsh said he would defer to Staff and the Fire Department to say if that works or does not work because he is not going to design the road. In a perfect world, the Council wants to have the full standard if possible. When things are a little tighter like in this situation, the question is what makes sense. Johnson noted that this is just a sketch plan review. Mr. Puzak said this is their best shot after over a year of working back and forth with everyone. It is a very reasonable proposal and it is half full; it provides two home sites on an acre of land and a cul-de-sac, which he thinks is a win-win for everyone. Seals noted she forwarded the resident email to Barnhart, adding that what resonated with her is that at first glance there is an acre and it makes sense, but is there an acre of buildable dry land. From what she could tell, there is not. Johnson said he has learned there are a lot of different people with similar arguments in different parts of town and he thinks everyone on the Council tries to apply it equally. If the Council starts doing non- conforming lots in the City, he would like advance notice because he will buy up some land. He agreed the plan drawn up by Gronberg is good. The question is, is it passable. He thinks it will be difficult to get it passed. The only potential way would be if there is some benefit to the public good with the cul-de-sac. He will listen to a good argument about how it may help Public Works.