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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> January 17,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Mr.Erickson said he had done a site visit with Mr.Edwards. The smaller southern parcel is completely <br /> disconnected with the northern parcel. There's absolutely no way to access or utilize the northern parcel in <br /> any way, shape or form. It's just two parcels and the smaller one is non-conforming,but it's been in use, <br /> so it's lawful,and the larger one is conforming consistent with the upcoming changes to the <br /> comprehensive plan. <br /> Mr. Edwards said the curb cut out exists on the northern portion on County Road 15. It straddles the two <br /> lots and when that was put in back in the 50s or 60s it was with the future use of splitting these lots off. <br /> Mr.Erickson said they've been in discussions with the adjacent landowner and have absolutely no <br /> objection to the adjacent landowner's plan,and to working with them to do something that's acceptable if <br /> that's what's necessary in order to move the potential subdivision forward. <br /> Mr. Edwards pointed out the wetlands area is not actually holding standing water.It's a peat bog. <br /> McCutcheon asked if given the wetland,the lot is buildable. <br /> Mr.Edwards said their plan would be if there was a single-family residence it would be between the <br /> wetlands and County Road 15. There is over a half-acre of buildable land that is not wetlands,according <br /> to our survey, <br /> McCutcheon also asked about a grading plan. <br /> Mr.Erickson said according to the staff recommendation, there would need to be some sort of grading to <br /> get a flatter view of the cross street for safety purposes. <br /> McCutcheon said there was no public hearing tonight and asked the commissioners for discussion.He <br /> pointed out there would be a non-conforming lot and as a commission,we just said we're not in favor of <br /> that. <br /> Libby said from a historical perspective these were considered and were platted as two lots a long time <br /> ago.It's a very pretty setting. I honestly think that the highest and best use of this would be the divisions <br /> that I've seen proposed by the two applicants,I would support that.I know that it doesn't really <br /> necessarily conform to the second lot size status that we would like to see.But again,that's that <br /> uniqueness. I think we need to look at this as a very unique and unusual circumstance and that we just <br /> need to be as open-minded as we statutorily can be to the applicant's desires for the highest and best use <br /> of the land. <br /> Erickson said the proposal fits the character of the neighborhood.As we have seen in other locations, like <br /> Forest Lake and other places, it makes sense to have the lot line even extended into the water,because <br /> there are those times when the lake will be low again. In'92,it was down about three feet from the <br /> ordinary high water,and then the 1930s,it was down about seven feet below the ordinary high water. <br /> Hennepin County's first choice for access to the northern part would be an easement going eastward to <br /> County 19,which does not have the huge traffic numbers that County 15 has. So that would be an ideal <br /> Page 9 of 13 <br />