11-15-1993 Planning PacketC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono Property P.U.D. Submittal 5 November 1993 The land to the south is guided for multiple residential and will be separated by a series of preserved and enhanced wetlands and increased setbacks for homes. To the west is a future elementary school site and other planned recreational facilities. These have not yet been built but will form a typical edge to a residential neighborhood. The wetlands are combined in large, commonly-held open space lots that provide both upland and newly enhanced wetlands for overall natural habitat suitable for wildlife nesting. Additionally, the few lots that are located in the wooded, southwest comer are extra wide and accessed by a private drive to minimize the impaa on the existing woods. Clustering the single-family homes and preserving expanses of wetlands with further enhancement through the storm ponding system and peripheral buffering are important elements of the PUD concept which creates a neighborhood that is fully complimentary to adjacent land uses and to the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. F. Comprehensive Plan Acceptability 1.Land Use Guide Plan/Densitv The subject property is currently guided for 2 acre single family. This designation is also for all the adjacent area (120 ac.) surrounding the property, including the school and old church property to the west. Lundgren Bros, proposes 58 residential single family lots on approximately 58.6 acres for a gross density of approximately 1.0 dwelling units/acre. 2.Site Utility Availability and Service Sanitary Sewer and Water Service The subject site has a problem with a high water table. The onsite septic system ordinance of the City of Orono recognizes the problems with onsite septic systems when the water table is less than 5 feet below the surface. Also, by requiring dual septic sites makes the likelihood of an acceptable onsite system for housing on the subject property very unfeasible. The economics of development when contemplating city services require that the cost be reasonably spread over each lot created. With an overall density of one unit per acre, these costs can be reasonably shared by all the lots created. A project that is less dense but with the same utility costs would not be feasible. Since the site is in the MUSA line and the City’s comprehensive plan contemplates City sewer for this area, it is only reasonable to approach the project by clustering the density into a pattern that can be economically served by extending utilities to the area. The quality of the water that eventually drains to Lake Minnetonka will be enhanced. By having centralized City sewer and the extensive wetland and ponding system on the site, watej quality should exceed what is running ott ot the property today under its agricultural use.