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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, March 18, 2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. happened in 1994, with the plat of Blue Hill. The basis for the approval of the lot area variance to allow one lot (#02-2763 Clayt and Julie Tabor, Continued) less than two acres in size dated back to a 1980 Council resolution which was adopted during the process of assigning sewer units to the Minnetonka Bluffs sewer project. The Council approved one lot to be less than two acres based on the "agreement" that had been made by the 1980 resolution between the City and the property owner. Weinberger indicated based on the number of subdivisions that have been approved in the City of Orono, it would be precedent setting to approve this proposed subdivision. The subject property has been guided for two acre rural residential development by the 2000-2020 Comprehensive Plan. The property has been zoned two acre since at least 1967. This property has also been recently included in MUSA, but the provision of sewer to the property does not change the rural character for this district. Weinberger noted the Applicants have submitted a petition signed by a number of surrounding property owners in agreement with this particular plan. Weinberger stated Staff did receive one call from a neighbor who had some concerns regarding a possible townhome development on this property. Tabor indicated the country club addition that surrounds their property consists of 22 properties, with 21 of those properties being less than one acre. Tabor stated in his view this subdivision will help increase the housing value in the neighborhood and will give them the financial ability to renovate their existing residence. Tabor stated if the property were subdivided, the two lots would still exceed the size of the majority of the other properties within the area and will not detract from the rural character of the neighborhood. Mrs. Tabor commented they would like to stay in the community and remodel their existing residence, which this subdivision would allow them to do. Mabusth inquired whether the Applicants had petitioned for sewer. Mr. Tabor stated they had not, noting their current septic system works fine. Mabusth inquired why rural sized properties were included in the MUSA. Gaffron stated the MUSA boundary that was adopted with the new Comprehensive Plan incorporates everything south of County Road 6 from Lake Klassen all the way to Spring Hill Road. Gaffron stated this area consists of a significant number of shoreland properties and are also adjacent to the sewer main. Gaffron stated this area is not currently sewered by City sewer. Hawn indicated the Planning Commission is bound by the City Code, noting this application does not comply with those documents. Hawn stated the Planning Commission is a recommending body and recommended the Applicants pursue this matter with the Council. Hawn stated in her view without input from the Council she would not be able to support this subdivision. Mabusth stated she would agree with Hawn, noting she does not feel the Council would be in support of this type of lot di vision. (Council Member Jim White arrives at 8:46 p.m.) PAGE 17