03-28-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 14, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 16 of 37 9. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) McMillan stated outlots will cause problems to the surrounding neighbors to an outlot because they have to accommodate the boat owners. McMillan stated the Fox Hill Homeowners Association is there for the 16 dock owners but that it is not for all the homeowners in the area. McMillan commented it is a very special, unique situation and something that a lot of people who do not live on the lake would love to have. McMillan noted she worked with the Fox Hill neighborhood back in the 1990s when she was on the LMCD Board. At that time the neighborhood lost three slips and they were down to 13 slips. McMillan stated she worked hard with Mike Gaffron to get those three slips back and that it is a very special situation, which can cause problems at times. McMillan commented she hopes the residents appreciate it but that it does create some difficulties with parking. Matt Mithun, 1160 Heritage Lane, asked if the County or City could grant permanent access off of County Road 15. Gaffron noted County Road 15 is a county road and that the City would not be able to grant permanent access off of that road. Gaffron stated typically Hennepin County will not approve permanent access onto a county road if an alternate access is available and that it is a safety issue. Flessner asked if Orono has asked Hennepin County about the ability to use the driveway on a permanent basis. Flessner asked why the City would not support the applicant getting a driveway onto County Road 15. Walsh noted the letter on the overhead is the temporary access letter received from the County. McMillan stated County Road 15 has a lot of traffic on it and that the City and County attempt to make it as safe as possible. McMillan noted the County and City would prefer Heritage Lane to be the central gathering spot for cars that are going onto County Road 15 and that nobody wants to look towards the lake and see a driveway if they do not have to. Flessner noted there was a driveway there in the past. McMillan noted County Road 15 has seen a substantial increase in the amount of traffic on the road since that house was originally built. Flessner stated years ago the County wanted to put a light at County Roads 15 and 51 to help improve the flow of traffic but that the people in Mound fought it and the County backed off on it. The County also wanted to shut down Heritage Lane and have the access through Heritage Drive, which would have been okay in some respects, but it did not happen. Flessner stated it always is the public expressing their views and the elective body taking it under advisement. Flessner stated there have been a lot of people here tonight explaining their concerns and that she hopes the City Council takes that into consideration in their decision.