04-11-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 9. #16-3807 TOM GONYEA, ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CORP., 425-595 OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD NORTH — PRELIMINARY PLAT APPOVAL — RESOLUTION NO. 6603 (continued) Establishment of a 10 -foot easement is fairly inconsequential, while actually developing a trail within the easement will have significant impacts on the current layout and buffer plan. 1. The location and topography of the road ditch within the right-of-way makes it very unlikely that a trail could be developed within the existing right-of-way, forcing it into the Preserve property. 2. Building a trail within a 1 -foot trail easement would conflict with the proposed berms and plantings in the northerly 25-30 feet of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. It would require that the berms and plantings would have to be moved further south, reducing the depth of the already minimal rear yards of those homes. Otherwise the north side of the berms would have to be excavated and a retaining wall established, perhaps as high as four feet, in order to provide a flat bench for the trail, jeopardizing the vegetative screening. 3. Moving the internal road even a short distance south would further restrict the minimal yards of lots to the south of that road which are already squeezed between the road and the wetlands and stormwater ponding area. Based on the above, Staff does not support the concept of a trail along the south side of Wayzata Boulevard. No trail or trail easement requirement has been added to the preliminary plat resolution at this time. Staff recommends approval of the resolution as currently drafted. Printup stating he is interested in obtaining the easement on this property for a potential trail at some point in the future because once the Dumas and Eisenger properties develop, there will be a lot of people in this area. Printup stated once that happens, Hennepin County could consider reducing the speed limit in that area. Printup stated since they have no idea of what the future looks like, he would again request an easement through that area. Walsh stated if an easement is obtained now, there is the possibility of doing something down the road. The easement would allow the City to have the ability to construct a trail sometime down the road if it is ever needed later. Gaffron noted at the last meeting the developer asked whether he would be compensated for the easement and he was informed that the City's practice is only to provide credit against the park dedication fee should the actual trail be built. Gaffron stated there is probably minimal risk to acquiring the easement but that the trail has future impacts if it is ever built. McMillan asked if the developer would be restricted from putting anything on the easement. Printup stated the developer would not have to be restricted for the most part and that he does like the proposed buffering and berming. Printup stated he is merely thinking about all the unknowns that could happen should the other properties get developed at some point. Page 14 of 32