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