07-26-1993 Council Minutes2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4.In light of the concern over Like Minnetonka and the desire of the residents of Orono to preserve the City’s unique na^’iral environment, the City Council adopted the following measures (and many others) as part of its comprehensive planning and zoning: A. Ordinance limiting the phosphate content of detergents, 1970. B, Wetlands preservation ordinance, 1970. C. Adoption of the LMCD Storm Water Runoff Guidelines, 1972. D. E. Adoption of 75 ’ lakeshore setback requirement, 1973. New residential 2-acre and 5-acre minimum lot area requirements, 1974, affecting 84% of the land area of the City. This rezoning also included a limitation on the percentage of hardcover for shoreland properties. F.Revised On-site Sewage Treatment Ordinance, 1978, in keeping with the City’s commitment to limit the extension of municipal sewers only to those necessary to rectify existing problems. The City recognized that the extension of costly municipal sewers for new development would result in an unacceptably high density of development, leading to levels of nutrient discharge greater than could be assimilated by the City’s natural wetlands system, and which ultimately would lead to lake water quality degradation. Development of Orono’s rural area continues today at the 2-acre and 5-acre densities, providing an attractive and unique residential environment while helping to protect Like Minnetonka. Redevelopment of pre-existing high density areas near the lake has been held to a high standard of conformity with environmental regulations which have become even more stringent with a new Shoreland Management ordinance adopted in 1992. The philosophy that we are stewards of I^ke Minnetonka and the policies and regulations adopted to promote that philosophy have guided the City’s development for three decades, and continue to be the underlying basis for planning decisions made by the City. ,1 * }t "5 / V' ;