09-15-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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**♦ • . . 9. X Jtm'i£t. Zoning File #2293 September 1 1, 1997 Page 3 confirm the ultimate use of the Van Sloun property. If that becomes dedicated open space (either subject to a permanent open space easement or deeded to the City for park purposes) then there may be some justification for the density transfer for 13-14 lots. II. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Applicant proposes that the City amend its Comprehensive Plan by expanding the Metropolitan Urban Service Area boundary, and extending the City's urban ser\'ice area to incorporate the Morgart 10 acre parcel. The basis for this request includes: A. A Comprehensive Plan Amendment is required in order for this property to be rezoned to urban densities. B. A MUSA amendment is required in order for the sewer to be extended to the property. C. The property is only marginally developable without sewer, and the rezoning would result in a more efficient development with greater opportunities to provide blocks of open space. Applicant has suggested that the City could view this expansion as merely a trade-off in sewer units from the Sollner property to the Morgart property. However, it can be argued that for properties that realistically could have contained 8 sewered lots and 5 unsewered lots, the proposal yields 12 sewered and 2 unsewered. The numbers don’t balance; the issue is not one of sewer capacity but of expanding the MUSA to accommodate new development. Such an expansion is in conflict with a number of goals and policies contained in the Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, in the overall planning policies: "3. "4. URBANIZATION WILL Nilt BE EXPANDED INTO THE EXISTING RURAL AREAS. Orono's Community Management Plan is not a staged growth plan and therefore the urban service area will oq I be expanded into the rural service area. Urban serv ices will n^i be expanded into the rural service area." THE EXISTING URBAN SERVICE AREA IS FIXED. Orono's Urban Serv ice Area (MUSA) is fixed by the various elements of the Community Management Plan, and is legally described as shown on Map #6." ADDITIONAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT WILL OCCUR ONLY IN THE DESIGNATED URBAN SERVICE AREA. Additional urban de% elopment -4