08-10-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 10, 2015 7:00 o'clock pm. 8. #15-3753 CITY OF ORONO PARK COMMISSION, VARIANCE (continued) Barnhart stated the City Council could proceed forward with the hardcover variance for the fence but then send it back to the Park Commission for a discussion of the use and parameters of the fence. Mattick noted it would need to come back to the City Council for final approval. Levang moved, Cornick seconded, to approve Application No. 15-3753, City of Orono Park Commission, subject to the Park Commission investigating the issues brought up tonight with a recommendation forthcoming to the City Council about the use of the area, the type of fence that should be installed, etc. McMillan stated if there is private property on the left side of the channel, she would like to know where the fence is going in relation to that and that the City should look into that. Levang moved to amend her motion, Cornick seconded, to approve Application No. 15-3753, City of Orono Park Commission, subject to the Park Commission investigating the issues brought up tonight with a recommendation forthcoming to the City Council about the use of the area, the type of fence that should be installed, etc., and to authorize a survey be undertaken to delineate city property if a survey is not already on file. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 9. #15-3754 CITY OF ORONO, TEXT AMENDMENT RELATED TO APPROVAL EXTENSIONS Barnhart stated the ordinance allows a specific timeline for acting on several different types of land use applications, including variances, site plans, conditional use permits and preliminary and final plats. In the past the City has allowed a number of extensions, with no limit being placed on the number of extensions. The text amendment proposes four 1 -year extensions. Barnhart stated the idea behind it is not to make it difficult for property owners to develop but more to limit the time between the public hearing and until the actual work begins. Levang stated she is pleased with this ordinance. Levang stated people in neighborhoods change if projects go on for a long time and that in her view five years is a reasonable period of time for people to decide whether they are going to go forward or not. McMillan noted the applicants would also be able to bring the same application through the process again if they would like it renewed beyond the five years. Walsh stated to his knowledge the City of Minneapolis allows a year for building permits. Walsh stated in his view five years seems like a really long time and that a number of changes can occur during that time. Mattick stated standard conditions on conditional use permits or variances are use it or lose it within one year. Mattick stated Staff was noticing with the economic downturn that people would get their approvals but would not act on it given the economy. Mattick stated the City is now seeing the flip side of that and that neighbors are saying they would like to be re -noticed at some point. Page 23 of 32