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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 8, 2016 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />12. MARIANI CONCEPTUAL REQUEST TO EXPAND MUSA BOUNDARY (continued) <br />Gaffron stated the density on the James property is 2.75 currently and the Eisenger property would have a <br />density of approximately 5 to b units per acre in an area where it is guided for 10 to 15. Gaffron stated <br />Staff will need to look for other sites within Orono that can be guided for higher density if those two <br />properties are approved for lower density. <br />Loftus asked whether the City has previously included lakeshore properties in the MUSA. <br />Gaffron stated the density issue goes back 10 or 15 years and that a majority of the shoreland areas were <br />included in the MUSA back in the early 2000s. With the previous Comprehensive Plan, the Metropolitan <br />Council required the City to guide more property at a higher density in order to develop more 2 -acre lots. <br />McMillan stated it was her understanding that if the septic system is older than 1985, that the property <br />owner could hook into the city sewer or MUSA without it counting toward the City's density. <br />Gaffron stated if it is brought into the MUSA, it counts against the City's density. <br />McMillan asked when that was changed. <br />Gaffron stated the Metropolitan Council will allow them in and that it appears to be fairly recently where <br />they have taken the position that it counts against the density. Gaffron stated Staff was informed of that at <br />the recent meeting with the Metropolitan Council. <br />McMillan commented at one time the City had a cushion, but that it does not appear that exists any <br />longer. <br />Mariani stated it sounds like the City will encounter the density problem in the future but that he is hoping <br />the City will side with him in this case. <br />McMillan stated it does not make sense to run the sewer line down and then only hook up one property. <br />Marian commented he does not know whether it will be necessary to hook up the second lot at this point. <br />McMillan stated it probably should have stayed as one lot. <br />Marian stated if the property had remained one lot, he would have also paid less for the property. <br />McMillan stated he could go back to the septic contractor. <br />Mariani indicated they only carry a $10,000 bond. <br />Walsh stated they likely also have errors and omission insurance. <br />Marian stated he was told he could apply for up to $10,000 against their bond. Marian stated his whole <br />idea was to sell this house and construct a new house on the other property. Mariani noted he had to turn <br />down an offer to sell the property because he is not able to sell it. <br />Page 28 of 32 <br />