Ltr to realtor re useof property

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. � CITY OF ORONO - MEMORANDUM To: Michael Steadman, Edina Realty Property File: 100 Big Island Planning Staff From: Mike Gaffion, Planning Director Date: January 27, 2005 Subject: Buildability&Developability Analysis - Big Island Vets Camp (100 Big Island) Purpose: When propertywith complex development pa�ameters is put up for sale,the City generally prepares a buildability/developability analysis memo that addresses most or all questions regarding bliildability and developability of the property. As realtors and poteutial buyers contact the City with questions,both the pla�lning staffand fl1e office staff are then able to efficientlyprovide accurate information. Property Description: PTNS #s 23-117-23 21 0001; 23-117-23 22 0001; 14-1 17-23 34 0001 (Metes and bounds legal descriptions) T11e property consists of three tax parcels that by Orono Zoning Code Section 78-568 are treated as a single property for zoning purposes, by virtue of their common ownership as of November 9, 1981. Property Area: PerHennepin Countypropertyinformation,total acreage ofthe three parcels is 56.46 acres. Far zoning purposes,Cityrecords list the DryBuildable Area(i.e.total exclusive ofwetlands)as 44.5 acres as of 1983. Determination of the actual area for current zoning purposes would require confirmation by a surveyor of the area above the 929.4'OHWL elevation for Lake Minnetonka,as well as confirmation ofthe area ofwetlands upon delineation under Wetland Conservation Act(WCA)rules. Comprehensive Plan Status: The City's Comprehensive Plan has guided the property for park use for the past 30-plus years. The City's long term plan for use ofthe property is park use.The guiding ofthe property is not consistent with the zoi�ing of the property. State Statute requires that the zoning of the properiy mustbe brought into compliance with the guiding ofthe properiywithin six months of the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.This should have been done manyyears ago. But,since the use ofthe Vets Camp property has been consistent with the Comprehensive Plan during all of this time,the rezoning issue has been out-of-sight,out-of-mind.The current`RS'seasonal residential zoning,established in 1983,was meant to allow small scale seasonal residential uses until the propertywas converted to park use;it was recognized at the time that historic private development and ownership pattems on the island would likely remain unchanged for a substantial period of time as conversion to park gradually occurred. Further,the RS District ordinances did not contemplate the conversion away from park use to a seasonal residential use.Regardless,based on State Statute,in order to be compatible with the Comprehensive Plan,the Vets Camp property should be zoned for park use. ;;