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*f . <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 25,2002 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />(#02-2763 Clayt and Jnlic Tabor, Continned) <br />The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their March meeting and has requested the Council <br />review this application because it would require either rezoning or granting of a lot area variance. The <br />consensus of the Planning Commission was that this request is not consistent with the City ’s <br />Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance. <br />Weinberger stated this property has recently been included in the MUSA, but noted that the City ’s <br />Comprehensive Plan is clear in stating that including rural properties into the MUSA atea did not mean <br />these arc properties intended for rezoning or higher density development. <br />The Planning Commission did review this item at their March meeting, and since it was a sketch plan <br />review, did not make a formal recommendation. The Planning Commission did look at, however, the <br />precedent that might be set by approving this lot division and the fact that this subdivision is not <br />consistent with what the City has done in the past. <br />Weinberger noted Staffhas identified two occasions when a subdivision was approved that created lots <br />less than the required lot area for the respective zoning district since the rezoning of the City in 1975. <br />Sansevere inquired whether the property owners were aware they were in a two-acre district at the time <br />they purchased the property. <br />Tabor stated they were aware of that and were told by the real estate agent that they could possibly <br />subdivide the property. Tabor indicated they have been approached by some people recently who <br />currently live in Long Lake and are being displaced by the new Highway 12 corridor about the <br />possibility of buying a portion of their property. <br />Tabor stated the development adjacent to their property consists of 22 homes, all of which are less than <br />one acre. Tabor stated the largest property located in this area is slightly over two acres, which is <br />adjacent to their property. Tabor stated if the lots w'ere subdivided, the 1.66 acre lot would not be <br />inconsistent with what is currently in the area. <br />Tabor commented they would like to continue to reside in Orono, but are forced to consider relocating <br />because they are financially unable to renovate their house without selling a portion of their property. <br />Tabor stated only one neighbor has expressed a concern with the proposal out of the 23 properties. <br />Sansevere expressed a concern that appro%'al of this request w ould result in a precedent being set, and <br />stated this could open up the door to others who want to subdivide their lots t^t do not meet the <br />minimum lot size standard. <br />Tabor questioned whether a precedent would be set, noting there are possibly two or three lots that <br />would fiill into that scenario. <br />White questioned how' many parcels have been .ombined into a single parcel that originally were <br />separate parcels. <br />Gaflron stated there arc quite a few combined lots in the Navarre area. Saga Hill, and Casco Point area. <br />Gaflron indicated the philosophy of the City has been to encourage combination of small lots to prevent <br />PAGES <br />I <