07-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 22, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 13 PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 16. LA20-000003, JOHN NEWELL, 1485 SIXTH AVE N, SKETCH PLAN Staff presented a summary of packet information. She noted the Applicant was present. Johnson asked what Conservation Design includes. Barnhart stated Conservation Design includes tree inventory and wetland inventory. It goes into more detail in terms of vistas and natural communities within the area that would not necessarily fall under trees or wetlands. From City Staff’s standpoint, on a project like this, where it is still a rural development, there is a lot of benefit out of the tree inventory and wetland things rather than the expense of doing the full Conservation Design. The Conservation Design looks at vistas and ecological communities within the area that would not necessarily fall under the tree or the wetland inventory. Johnson commented he did not know what a vista is. Barnhart indicated an example was a view shed. Rief clarified that it was like when you look out of your window. He said it comes up in variances, that when there is a house that is set back from the lake and there is a variance to put it in closer to the average lakeshore and exclude that house. Walsh said it goes into more detail about the area on things that would have little to no impact. Rief stated Walsh was correct. Johnson asked at what size the existing ordinance comes into play. Oakden stated if the subdivision is five acres or larger, or the density is greater than one unit per two acres. Crosby asked if the road would become private. Oakden said currently it is an existing shared driveway that serves three properties. They are proposing a private road with a short cul-de-sac to serve the two new lots being created, then terminating the cul-de- sac and leaving the existing shared driveway as an entrance off the new cul-de-sac. Walsh stated they would be upgrading the front part of the road for the two houses, basically. Oakden agreed that is what is being proposed with the sketch plan. Johnson suggested, regarding the ecological study, looking at the ordinance to see if it should be modified so if the Council does not think it is necessary for this size of development, there could be triggers in the language that prevents people from having to come in front of the City Council. Walsh indicated it could be brought down to the Staff level and they could be given more discretion.