07-11-2022 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,July 11,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. 13. LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT(LMCD)UPDATE—RICHIE ANDERSON Richie Anderson gave a presentation and stated he is the treasurer of the LMCD and chair of the Finance Committee.He noted they used to charge the AIS levy(Aquatic Invasive Species)and nothing had been spent so they put that line item at zero;therefore,$11,500 will be saved in 2022. He spoke about the 2023 budget and stated they worked from the bottom up and found an additional$7,271 in savings for the City of Orono.The strategic goal of finance is to fund reserves of 30-50%which is recommended by the auditor.He noted the Committee came in at 35%and to distribute the excess over 5 years. Mr. Anderson spoke about milfoil treatment in Crystal Bay,the LID(Lake Improvement District), weed eradication,and a listening session held regarding wake boating. Mr.Anderson stated the Council knows how he feels about the issue of wake boating and if the wake ban was passed it would affect 5 out of 5 marinas in Orono. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 14. LA22-000027—AMY SWANSON,4025 WATERTOWN ROAD,SKETCH PLAN Brian and Amy Swanson,Applicants,were present. City Planner Curtis gave a presentation on the item,noting the goal tonight is to provide non-binding feedback on the Applicant's proposed sketch plan for a front lot/back lot subdivision.The property has approximately 13 acres in area and 270 feet in width at Watertown Road,based on Hennepin County information.The property is in the RR-1A zoning district which requires a minimum of 5 acres and 300 feet in width.According to Hennepin County's natural resource map there appear to be wetlands on the property.The property is outside the City sewer and water areas and in areas not served by sanitary sewer. Each newly created lot must meet the total minimum acreage requirement and can contain as little as two acres of dry contiguous buildable land for a subdivision. The Applicants are proposing to split the current parcel into two lots with an existing home on one front lot and a back lot configuration.The front lot would front on Watertown Road.The back lot would have street access from a shared driveway established in a 30-foot wide outlot.The back lot is required to meet 150%lot area standards which would require 7.5 total acres. Each lot would be required to provide its own septic and well.Ms. Curtis noted the Applicant's proposal to create a substandard front lot would require lot area and lot width variances.On June 21,2022 the Planning Commission discussed the Applicant's sketch plan.No public hearing was held for this item.The members of the Commission were in agreement with staff that the project does not conform to the zoning standards. The Commissioners noted that they could not support variances. Staff does not support the subdivision as non-conforming lots would be created which would be inconsistent with the zoning code and the comprehensive plan. Brian Swanson stated in the current market with lack of inventory and many friends and family who have been looking for buildable lots,he thought with his 13 acres he would start the process to see if it is even a possibility to split the lot.He shared about the property noting the first section,a fenced area around the house,trees beyond,and stated they have received a verbal confirmation that there are two septic locations available on the front lot and an alternate section on the other lot.He shared about a natural creek running thought the property that is a natural dividing line. Mayor Walsh noted the City is pro-development,however they do not create non-conforming lots. He shared if the Applicant creates a conforming lot,the City Council would be all-in. Page 2 of 6