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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />January 17, 2023 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />solution from their standpoint. He said according to oral history there may have been a lot of debris or <br />junk dumped in part of that north area at some time years ago, but we have not seen any soil tests that <br />would either confirm or deny that. <br />Commissioners discussed whether rezoning the property would be a good recommendation. <br />Oakden said rezoning would require an application process to amend the zoning maps. <br />Libby mentioned the significant changes in grade on the property. <br />Ressler said he thinks the correct approach would be to change the zoning. He does not support creating <br />new lots that are non -conforming. He also questioned whether the city would have jurisdiction because of <br />the wetlands and LMCC's rules and regulations along with the Corps of Engineers and the Minnehaha <br />Creek Watershed District. <br />Libby pointed out this property was discussed as part of the 2040 comprehensive plan but there was never <br />any action. To find the highest and best use, again, it's purely subjective. I think that the highest and best <br />use of this land is to have a lot division. So that there can be I guess, four lots to the north and to the <br />south. But again, that is a subjective opinion, with some extra knowledge of history of the area. <br />McCutcheon said he thinks everyone can agree that Shoreline Drive is very busy. I don't think the citizens <br />would be too crazy about having another entry under that road. He also discussed protecting the wetland <br />on the property. <br />6. LA22-000069 BRETT LARSON, 2480 CARMAN STREET, SKETCH PLAN. <br />Oakden said this application is similar to the previous one. They're requesting to split their lot. Again, it <br />fronts on Shoreline Drive and it's a long, narrow lot with that lagoon. This parcel is slightly larger; it's <br />roughly 1.85 acres of land. The lot is improved with a single-family home on the portion that is currently <br />under construction. In 2020, it was an older home. They have since applied for a new home permit, and <br />that's under construction today. I believe on the survey it's calling out the footprint of the original house to <br />be removed. The northern inlet on the north side of the lagoon is unimproved. The property is unique <br />with, again, the split zoning LR 1B or a one -acre minimum to the south and LR 1C one half -acre <br />minimum to the north. Again, it's heavily wooded with the grading drops but less impacts of wetland on <br />this parcel. The applicant's goal is to facilitate a new building site on the north of the inlet. And similar to <br />the 2022 application, they are proposing the north lot would be conforming. The southern lot would be <br />non -conforming. The existing parcel is conforming to the zoning district. The proposed northern parcel is <br />the half -acre minimum and would propose to meet all the zoning requirements. The proposed southern <br />parcel in the LR 1B district would be substandard in area so there still is not enough land to meet the LR <br />1B zoning district. Planning Commission and Council would have to discuss if they are in support of a lot <br />area variance to create a new non -conforming lot. This one has the same engineer comments as before <br />including the discussion of connectivity and then County permitting requirements with access to <br />Shoreline. Are you comfortable with a proposal that includes variances to create a new non -conforming <br />Page 10 of 13 <br />