11-04-1999 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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RURAL LAND USE RURAL RESIDENTIAL LAND USE Rural residential development will be limited to single family dwellings, with a minimum dry-buildable lot size of at least two acres. When the total number of forecast rural density households (126?) (1760) is divided into the total rural acreage of Orono (89 60 ac res) (S600 acres) the gross rural density becomes one unit per seven nve acres. This is a reflection on the e.xtensive amounts of wetlands and public open space that occupies our rural service area, which in turn is a primary reason why extension of urban services into this region is impractical and uneconomic. The planned airal density of at least 2.0 dry-buildable net acres per dwelling, jsto rniipled with requirement^; for identifying two on-site sewage treatment SVStCm sjtgS for each developing residential lot, will permanently support on-site water supply and sewage treatment systems. The planned rural density will not overload or adversely affect the natural wetlands and storm water filtration system so necessary to the preservation of Lake Minnetonka's water quality. The resulting population densities will require no major changes to the public road system. The planned rural density should maintain to the greatest extent possible the historic character of this rural area with land remaining in parcels large enough to permit quasi-agricultural activities as well as residential uses. Because extensive, expensive urban services are not necessary, the planned rural density will allow rural development of two-acre lots to be economically competitive with urban development in other suburban areas. This preser\es the rural land owner's rights to use and/or develop his land, as well as preserving the widest choice of lifestyle possible for Orono residents. Certain restrictions on rural residential development will gontinnc IQ be imposed because of the existence of numerous wetlands and drainageways to Lake Minnetonka, steep slopes, soil type variations and other natural characteristics. These restrictions will continue to minimize the need for expensive public services such ^ municipal sanitary sewer, municipal water, major improvements in public transportation, and most important, public storm water sewer and treatment facilities. All rural lands abutting lakeshore will be subject to the same protective restrictions as urban lands in addition to the lower land use density of the area. Municipal nirnl density lakeshore properties where feasible, but SCWCT • 1 • - • CMP 3B - 36