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Minutes <br />City Council Regular Meeting <br />Monday, November 10, 2025, 6:00 PM <br />City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br />The City Council is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and deny the <br />hardcover variance. The Planning Commission had recommended approving the lot area and lot width <br />variances and denying the hardcover variance. Staff agreed that the hardcover variance is not supported <br />by practical difficulty and suggested several ways to reduce the hardcover. The applicant was not present. <br />The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff. Councilmembers noted the lot is difficult, <br />and the existing situation has been above the hardcover limit. Other neighbors have detached garages near <br />the street, and having a turnaround is critical on Shadywood. <br />Persian moved, Ricks seconded, to table the application in order to hear from the homeowner. <br />VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. <br />The applicant arrived at the meeting about 6:49 p.m. <br />Schwingler moved, Persian seconded, to take the item off the table. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. <br />Scott Erickson, 1840 Shadywood Rd., the applicant, explained their plan to replace a 1950s rambler with <br />a house that can work for their family. The new plan is a slight reduction in hardcover. He said they tried <br />to find ways to further reduce the hardcover. With a long, very narrow lot, the driveway eats up most of <br />the hardcover allowance. <br />Persian indicated the resident is working with the City, but it is difficult to see how the owners can <br />continue the appropriate use of the property without the proposed amount of hardcover. <br />Persian moved, Schwingler seconded, to approve all variances for 1840 Shadywood Rd., including <br />the hardcover variance. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. <br />20. LA25-000039, Text Amendment Regarding Retaining Walls <br />The City Council is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss the text <br />amendment relating to retaining walls. The Planning Commission had suggested revised wording <br />regarding replacement vegetation so that disturbed areas could be replaced with like vegetation. The code <br />addresses new walls of at least five feet. Staff asked the Council to provide feedback on the language. <br />The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff. Councilmembers asked to see examples of <br />mow -less grass. <br />21. Hackberry Park <br />Ricks said that with the proposed renovation of Hackberry Park being discussed, it might be a good time <br />to look at acquiring more property for parking. A nearby property may be coming up for sale. The <br />consensus of the Council was to have staff look into the availability of the property and the budget <br />ramifications. <br />FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT <br />22. Set 2026 Utility Rates <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />6 <br />