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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 20,2004 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#04-3051 Kevin and Julie Fitzpatrick,Continued) <br /> Fitzpatrick stated he was unable to find any history requiring lots to be accumulated or combined in <br /> order to create a larger lot. <br /> Fitzpatrick stated the central character of West Lake consists of older homes, some large lake cottages <br /> and some small cottages, some rental homes, and some family homes, and that diversity should be <br /> preserved. Fitzpatrick indicated the character of the neighborhood has a lot to do with the people living <br /> there,which is an essential character worth preserving as well. <br /> Michael Cronan, 8809 West Bush Lake Road,Bloomington, indicated he is here on behalf of Michael <br /> and Janelle Shields and Robert and Lisa Erickson. Cronan stated the Shields and Ericksons are opposed <br /> to the construction of a new residence on this lot, and noted that it is difficult to oppose new neighbors <br /> coming into the neighborhood. <br /> Cronan indicated their opposition is based on two cases: First,the extreme aggressiveness of the <br /> proposal that the Fitzpatricks have brought forward to rebuild on this site; and secondly, the whole <br /> question of the future of West Lake. Cronan stated the current home that exists on that lot is a modest <br /> home with a flat roof. Cronan stated the proposed residence with a peaked roof is going to be a major <br /> change in the neighborhood as well as the lot coverage, the massing,the bulk and height of the <br /> residence. <br /> Secondly, Cronan noted there is no mitigation being offered at all. Cronan stated no landscaping is <br /> being proposed between the two residences and that the Fitzpatricks have not provided the City with <br /> elevations of the south or north sides of this property. <br /> Cronan stated the Planning Commission should also consider the planning future of West Lake. Cronan <br /> indicated there is a trend in Orono to consolidate small lots,particularly in this neighborhood. Cronan <br /> stated at the time West Lake was originally platted,there were 26 50-foot lots. Over time that vision of <br /> having 50-foot lots has changed more towards that of the LR-1A zoning district,which has two-acre lots <br /> with 100-foot frontage. Cronan stated Orono's code says it prefers two-acre lots,and that presently <br /> there only exist nine lots in this neighborhood,with all of them being larger than 50' lots. Cronan <br /> pointed out a new home in that neighborhood has not been constructed for over 50 years and that there <br /> has been a trend in the past years to move towards complying with the code. <br /> Cronan stated the issue is redevelopment,not first development. Cronan stated although the existing <br /> home is very modest and may not fit the Fitzpatricks' needs, it does have a reasonable use that can <br /> continue to be used if it is maintained. Cronan explained they are not asking the Fitzpatricks to land <br /> bank this lot. <br /> Cronan stated in his opinion staff's discussion concerning policies deals more with expansion of the <br /> MUSA line and first development type issues rather than the redevelopment of substandard lots within <br /> the city. Cronan stated in his opinion there is a difference between redevelopment and development and <br /> someone waiting for expansion of the MUSA line. <br /> Cronan noted the Shields and Ericksons have more than twice the money as the Fitzpatricks invested in <br /> their lots and that a million dollar price tag is not a bad price for a lakeshore lot in Orono. Cronan stated <br /> PAGE 16 <br />