06-15-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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MiNUTES OF THE OR4N0 PLANNING COA�Il�IISSION MEETING Monday,May 18,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 8:I3 p.m. Peter Rechelbachot, 1242 Hunter Drive, stated he has Iived in this area for the past 15 years and that he has gotben to Imow some of the neighbors that share the same woodland. Rschelbacher stated over that pariod of time he discussed the forest and the need to prosorvo 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 wi#'e are not personally opposod to having any development fln this site but that they do hava issues with the woodland area. Rechelbacher stated the location of Lo#No.7 is a natural drain area from the upper portion of ti�e m�ddte af the forest down into Mooney Laka. 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 atter ti�e natural drainage of the area. Rechelbacher stabed t�e other concern is the two building sitas being located within the middle of tha woodland,which would basically destray the entire ecosystem of this area. Rechelbacher st�ted the applicatrt mentioned the removal of dead and diseased trees,but that his understanding from an ecological standpoint is that those dead and diseased tr+ees 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�e birds in the area. Rechelbacher stated there is another area that is closer to the prairie area that could instead be developad. Rechelbacher indicated there is a natural road that was used by�e fanm and there would be minimal impact if the houses were tocated closer to that area. Rechelbacher stated there is prairie in this section does rise considerably and there is an apportunity to plant trees to screen�homes and still preserve the integrity of the property. Rechelbacher nobed the nazne of tf�e deveIopme�is Mooney Lake Preserve and that tt►e deftnition 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 stabe�nm people's views as they drive down County Road 6. Rechelbacher stated the ott�er concern h�has is that Moonay Lake is Iisted on the state's lakes as an environment for nutrient loading. Last year tlae MPCA finished putting togekher the implementation plan for the TIVIDO. Rechelbacher noted Plymouth,Medina and the City of Orono have a Zegal obGgation to reduce the amount of loadi�ng of phosphorus into the lake. Recholbacher indicated this is the only pmperty that is within 1�►e Orono section and that this would be an opportunity to znake sure that appropriate stormwater runoff solutions are put in place to help protect and preserve Mooney Lake. Jean Bowe,County Road 6,Plymouth, stated es a resident oII Mooney Lake, she would lika tv understand the rules and covenants regarding the view from the lake. Bowe stated a numbor of people have cleared out ti�e trees over the years and that it creates a lat of drainage and erosion issues. Bowe stated she would like to know what Ianguage is included in the covenants regarding tha viow down to the lake. Bowe sta#ed another question sho has relates to the driveways. Bowe noted a lot of the homes have shared driveways. Bowe asked if there h�s been some consideration given to having one main road and then have some sharod driveways instead of having individual driveways. Bowe stated her final question relates to the 11 lots not being bvilt u�on. Bowe asked if there is any legal covenant that says tt►ey will not be bui�t on or if it is somett�ing the developer hopes not to do. Page 17 of 37