11-26-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 26, 2001 7:00 o'clock p.m. . ( #01 -2735 Amendment to Zoning Code — Structural Lot Coverage, Continued) Gaffron stated the property owners that have requested the change would not be opposed to approving new hardcover limitations on all non - Shoreland residential lots under two acres. Gaffron suggested this item be tabled to a joint work session with the Planning Commission to discuss these issues more indepth. Nygard noted there is an outstanding application that is awaiting a decision on this amendment. Gaffron stated that application deals with a resident wishing to replace an existing home with a new structure that would use the entire 15 percent lot coverage allotment. Retention of the existing in- ground pool and its associated patio /deck would result in an additional eight percent lot coverage, for a total lot coverage of 23 percent. Council had approved the lot area variance in October subject to removal of the pool at the time the house is removed unless the ordinance is changed. Sansevere indicated he would like to review this issue more fully in a work session with the Planning Commission. Mary King, 142 Chevy Chase Drive, stated in her view the current ordinance is too restrictive for people, noting the new home and pool would be located within all the required setbacks. King stated their property would still have a fair amount of green space following construction, with the pool and deck adding value to their home. King stated the pool is located behind the house, so visual impact is not an issue in this case. King commented in her view property owners should have some choice in • how their property is developed since they are paying taxes on the land, and they should not be penalized by having to remove the pool simply because they want a larger residence. King thanked City Staff for the fine job they do in keeping the roadways plowed at this time of year. White pointed out that the City of Orono is one of the lowest taxed cities in Hennepin County. Flint stated he would like to have a work session scheduled sometime in December or early January. Flint stated that before he read the staff memo, in his view this was more of a runoff issue than a structural block issue. Flint stated he now has a new understanding of the issue. Flint noted there have been some conflicting views on this issue in the past. White moved, Sansevere seconded, to table Application #01 -2735, Amendment to Zoning Code Section 10.03, Subdivision 14, Structural Lot Coverage, to a joint work session with the Planning Commission in either December or January. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Flint commented in relation to the City's vacant lot at Highway 12 and Old Crystal Bay Road, he is not in support of a contract that would bind the City of Orono on the sale of a property when the other party is free to walk away from the deal. 0 PAGE 8