05/18/2015 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,May 18,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. Peter Rechelbacher, 1242 Hunter Drive, stated he has lived in this area for the past 15 years and that he has gotten to know some of the neighbors that share the same woodland. Rechelbacher stated over that period of time he discussed the forest and the need to preserve and protect it a number of times. Rechelbacher stated one of Doug Dayton's passions and beliefs was not only preserving the woodland but also restoring the natural prairie. Rechelbacher indicated he and his wife are not personally opposed to having any development on this site but that they do have issues with the woodland area. Rechelbacher stated the location of Lot No. 7 is a natural drain area from the upper portion of the middle of the forest down into Mooney Lake. Rechelbacher indicated the location that the applicant is showing a house in is an area where there would be a significant amount of fill that would be required, which would alter the natural drainage of the area. Rechelbacher stated the other concern is the two building sites being located within the middle of the woodland, which would basically destroy the entire ecosystem of this area. Rechelbacher stated the applicant mentioned the removal of dead and diseased trees, but that his understanding from an ecological standpoint is that those dead and diseased trees is a natural process that occurs in a forest, and by removing that, they would be removing a lot of the native plants and insects as well as impacting the birds in the area. Rechelbacher stated there is another area that is closer to the prairie area that could instead be developed. Rechelbacher indicated there is a natural road that was used by the farm and there would be minimal impact if the houses were located closer to that area. Rechelbacher stated there is prairie in this section does rise considerably and there is an opportunity to plant trees to screen the homes and still preserve the integrity of the property. Rechelbacher noted the name of the development is Mooney Lake Preserve and that the definition of preserve means to leave it in its natural state. Rechelbacher stated what he is seeing here is more of a perception of leaving it in a natural state from people's views as they drive down County Road 6. Rechelbacher stated the other concern he has is that Mooney Lake is listed on the state's lakes as an environment for nutrient loading. Last year the MPCA finished putting together the implementation plan for the TMDO. Rechelbacher noted Plymouth, Medina and the City of Orono have a legal obligation to reduce the amount of loading of phosphorus into the lake. Rechelbacher indicated this is the only property that is within the Orono section and that this would be an opportunity to make sure that appropriate stormwater runoff solutions are put in place to help protect and preserve Mooney Lake. Jean Bowe, County Road 6, Plymouth, stated as a resident on Mooney Lake, she would like to understand the rules and covenants regarding the view from the lake. Bowe stated a number of people have cleared out the trees over the years and that it creates a lot of drainage and erosion issues. Bowe stated she would like to know what language is included in the covenants regarding the view down to the lake. Bowe stated another question she has relates to the driveways. Bowe noted a lot of the homes have shared driveways. Bowe asked if there has been some consideration given to having one main road and then have some shared driveways instead of having individual driveways. Bowe stated her final question relates to the 11 lots not being built upon. Bowe asked if there is any legal covenant that says they will not be built on or if it is something the developer hopes not to do. Page 17 of 37