06-15-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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� � maavuTEs oF� ORONO PLANNING CONIlVIISSION MEETIl�TG Monday,May 18,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. �r Chair L.eskinen opened tt�e public hearing at 8:13 p.nn. ��,�a, �°`�"' Petar Rechelbacher, 1242 Hunter Drive,stated he has lived in this area for the past 15 years and that he has gotteA.to know some of the neighbors that share the same woodland. Rechelbacher stabed over that �eriod of time he discussed the forest and the need to preserve and pratect it a number of times. RacheIbacher stated one of Doug Dayton's passions and beliefs was not only preserving the woodland but also restoring thc natural prairie, Rechelbachar indicated he and his wife are uot personally opposod to h�ving any development on this sibe • but that they do have issues with the woodland area. Rechelbacher stated t�e loca.ti on of Lot No.7 is a natural drain area from the upper portion of the rniddle of the forest down iIIto Mooney Lake. Rechelbacber indicated the location that the applicant is showing a house in is an ax�ea where there would be a significant amount of fill that would be raquired,which would alter the natural drainage of the area. Rachelbacher 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 atea. Rechelbacher stated the applicant mentioned the removal of deac�and diseasad trces,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 ptants and iuisects as well as impacting the birds in the area. Recheibacher stated there is another area that is closer to the prairie area that could instead be daveloped. Rechelbacher indicated there is a natural road that was used by the farm and there would be minimal i�ua�pact i�'the houses were located closer to that area. Rechelbacher stated there is prairie in this section does rise considera.bly and there is an oppartunity to plant trees to screen the homes and still preserve the integrity of the property. Rschelbacher noted the name of the develogment is Moonay Lake Preserve and that the definition of greserve means to leave it in its natural state. Rechelbacher stated what he is seeing�ere is more of a perception of leaving it in a natural state from people's views as they drive down County Roaal 6. Rechelbacher stated the other concern he has is that Mooney Lake is listed on the st�te's lakes as an environment for nutrient loading. Last year the MPCA finishad putting together the implementation plan for the TNIDO. Rechelbacher noted Plymauth,Medina and the City of Orono have a legal obligation to reduce the amount of load'mg of phosphorus into the lake. Rechelbacher indicated this is the only property that is within the Qrono saction and that this would bc an opportunity to make sure that appropriate stormwater runoff soIutions are put in place to help protect and preserve Mooney Lake. Jean Bowe,County Road 6,Plymouth, statad as a resident on Mooney Lake, she would Iike to understand the rules and covenants regarding the view from the lake. Bawe stated a number of people have cleared out the trees over the years and that it creates a lot of clrainage and erosion issues. Bowe stated she wottld fike to�ow what language is included in the covenants regarding the view down to ttze lake. Bowe stated anothe�r question she has relates to the driveways. Bowe noted a lot of the homes have shared driveways. Bowe asked if t�ere has been soxne 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