01-17-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday,January 17, 2001 (#2657 Clifford Otten, Continued) Often indicated he is in agreement with the easement vacation. Kluth moved, Bellows seconded,to recommend approval of Application#2657, Clifford Otten, 2350 Wayzata Boulevard, granting of an easement vacation subject to the granting of a replacement easement as shown in Exhibit B-3 contained in the January 11, 2001 Planner's Report. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. SKETCH PLAN REVIEW (#17) #2653 CRAIG ALHOUSE,4100 WATERTOWN ROAD,SKETCH PLAN REVIEW Craig Alshouse, Applicant, was present. Weinberger stated the Applicant is requesting a sketch plan review for a Class III subdivision for the property located at 4100 Watertown Road. The property consists of approximately 37 acres of which approximately two acres is classified as Orono Wetlands and appear on the City Wetland Maps. The property is located in the RR-1A. One Family Rural Residential, which has a five acre minimum lot size. Weinberger stated the Applicants have two proposals to consider, with the primary difference between the two proposals being the size of Lot 5. Because Lot 5 contains a large barn and indoor riding arena,the second option would be to create a larger parcel of land to create an individual lot with more pasture land. Proposal one is for a six lot standard plat and proposal two is for a five lot standard plat. City Staff has had several discussions with the Applicant about the future use of the property as a community horse farm. Proposal number one would have a private road with access directly off of Watertown Road serving the western four lots, Lots 1 through 4. Lot 5, which is an existing developed site, would continue its access off of Watertown Road. The sixth lot would have access off of Orono Orchard. Lot 6 has been legally combined with the property in 1996,and does have an existing house on the property along with a guest house. The intent as part of this particular application that the house and the other structures on the lot will be removed. Weinberger stated all of the lots meet the five acre standard, with the road arrangement into the development well suited for this particular area. The surrounding area has been primarily developed as residential, with a large wetland area to the north side. The primary issue for consideration by the Planning Commission is the future use of two oversized accessory buildings, a 10,000 square foot indoor riding arena and a horse barn approximately 4,000 square feet. Currently Orono's Ordinances only allow accessory buildings to have a maximum of 3,000 square feet. The proposed development does change the character and use of these accessory buildings. Weinberger indicated in the discussions with the Applicant,they have attempted to review PAGE 28