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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,March 18,2002 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> happened in 1994, with the plat of Blue Hill. The basis for the approval of the lot area variance to allow <br /> one lot <br /> (#02-2763 Clayt and Julie Tabor, Continued) <br /> less than two acres in size dated back to a 1980 Council resolution which was adopted during the <br /> process of assigning sewer units to the Minnetonka Bluffs sewer project. The Council approved one lot <br /> to be less than two acres based on the"agreement"that had been made by the 1980 resolution between <br /> the City and the property owner. <br /> Weinberger indicated based on the number of subdivisions that have been approved in the City of <br /> Orono, it would be precedent setting to approve this proposed subdivision. The subject property has <br /> been guided for two acre rural residential development by the 2000-2020 Comprehensive Plan. The <br /> property has been zoned two acre since at least 1967. This property has also been recently included in <br /> MUSA,but the provision of sewer to the property does not change the rural character for this district. <br /> Weinberger noted the Applicants have submitted a petition signed by a number of surrounding property <br /> owners in agreement with this particular plan. Weinberger stated Staff did receive one call from a <br /> neighbor who had some concerns regarding a possible townhome development on this property. <br /> Tabor indicated the country club addition that surrounds their property consists of 22 properties,with 21 <br /> of those properties being less than one acre. Tabor stated in his view this subdivision will help increase <br /> the housing value in the neighborhood and will give them the financial ability to renovate their existing <br /> residence. Tabor stated if the property were subdivided,the two lots would still exceed the size of the <br /> majority of the other properties within the area and will not detract from the rural character of the <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Mrs. Tabor commented they would like to stay in the community and remodel their existing residence, <br /> which this subdivision would allow them to do. <br /> Mabusth inquired whether the Applicants had petitioned for sewer. <br /> Mr. Tabor stated they had not,noting their current septic system works fine. <br /> Mabusth inquired why rural sized properties were included in the MUSA. <br /> Gaffron stated the MUSA boundary that was adopted with the new Comprehensive Plan incorporates <br /> everything south of County Road 6 from Lake Klassen all the way to Spring Hill Road. Gaffron stated <br /> this area consists of a significant number of shoreland properties and are also adjacent to the sewer <br /> main. Gaffron stated this area is not currently sewered by City sewer. <br /> Hawn indicated the Planning Commission is bound by the City Code,noting this application does not <br /> comply with those documents. Hawn stated the Planning Commission is a recommending body and <br /> recommended the Applicants pursue this matter with the Council. Hawn stated in her view without <br /> input from the Council she would not be able to support this subdivision. <br /> Mabusth stated she would agree with Hawn,noting she does not feel the Council would be in support of <br /> this type of lot division. <br /> (Council Member Jim White arrives at 8:46 p.m.) <br /> PAGE 17 <br />