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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 <br />(^2596 Brenshell Homes, Continued) <br />contracted the services of Barr Engineering to review this site, and she distributed the <br />information Barr Engineering has generated as a result of their review. <br />Rasmussen stated they have some confusion regarding the issue of the slopes and the <br />steepness of the slopes, noting that the slopes range from 12 percent to 18 percent. <br />Rasmussen stated only 9 percent of Lot 2 and 27 percent of Lot 3 have less than a 12 percent <br />grade, with a substantial portion of those lots containing slopes greater than 12 percent. <br />Rasmussen stated the shortening of the cul-de-sac and the positioning of these structures on <br />these lots, in her view are out of sync with Orono’s Codes relating to land management, <br />which requires that all possible soil erosion impacts be addressed. Rasmussen stated in <br />her view the land management for this development are questionable, with only a small area <br />of this site being suitable for development. Rasmussen stated the only reason for the variances <br />is due to the shortening of the cul-de-sac. <br />Rasmussen stated major issues relating to development of Lots 2 and 3 exist, which need to be <br />further addressed. Rasmussen stated approval of the lot width variances for Lots 2 and 3 arc <br />not consistent with prior variance approvals for lots situated on cul-de-sacs in her opinion. <br />Rasmussen questioned the use of cul-de-sacs to avoid slope and land management issues. <br />Rasmussen commented regarding the retention ponds, one of the ponds is located in an area <br />where over half of the area has slopes in excess of 12 percent grade, with the other pond having <br />30 to 40 percent of the area also being in excess of 12 percent grade as well as a substantial <br />portion containing over 18 percent slopes. Rasmussion questioned the viability of those <br />retention ponds, and citing from the Barr Engineering report, stated that the t>pe of outlet being <br />utilized will create high velocities, with no protection on overflows on Lots 2 and 5, with the <br />small orifices prone to plugging and will provide a potential for erosion and failure of the berms <br />Rasmussen stated if the ponds are allow ed to plug up, ultimately the ponds will overflow <br />resulting in erosion and creating a significant potential for a flood, especially in light of the <br />steep slopes in the area. <br />Mark Jacobson, Barr Engineering, stated they have a concern regarding the small orifices being <br />proposed for these ponds, noting they could easily become plugged, with no overflows being <br />included in the design. Jacobson recommended some options be included in the design of these <br />ponds to handle those concerns. <br />Rasmussen stated another concern they have is regarding the elimination of the mature trees in <br />this area, with the trees providing some critical stability to the slopes. Rasmussen stated they <br />would like to see that issue addressed as well. <br />Rasmussen commented the type of soils in this area should also be considered prior to approval <br />of this development, noting that the soils in this area have not been adequately addressed in her <br />opinion. Rasmussen requested drainage easements be placed over the swales, with provisions for <br />long-term maintenance of these areas. <br />Rasmussen also commented that in her view non-performance by the developer has not been <br />adequately addressed as well as the visibility issue from Forest Lake Road. <br />PAGE 4