02-25-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2002 13. #02 -2755 Long Lake Fire Station —City of Orono, 340 Willow Drive North — Class III Subdivision, Variance and Conditional Use Permit — Continued factors, the road right -of -way has been widened to 60'. There are wetlands on the property. Part of the area will be filled for the fire station. They will be meeting with the watershed district to approve the stormwater plans. The fire station itself comprises about 50% hardcover for the fire station. They would create a holding pond on lot 2 to mitigate for the wetland that is being filled on lot 1. The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat as presented, subject to MCVVD approval of the wetland mitigation and stormwater management plan. Gaffron stated that widening the road to 60' has resulted in the need for a 10' setback variance to locate the fire station building 40' from the proposed road outlot, rather than the 50' required. The Planning Commission approved the setback variance, finding that the variance is supported by the hardships, and will have no impact on the neighborhood or adjacent properties, with the condition that if the 6th bay is not built, the station must meet the required 50' setback. The fire station building incorporated a hose tower that would be used for training purposes. The tower exceeds the 30' allowed height by almost 5'. The Planning Commission denied the CUP for tower height because it would have a potential negative • visual impact on the neighborhood, its use could become a nuisance in the residential neighborhood, the need for the excess height had not been demonstrated, and the potential impacts of the tower in the residential neighborhood could not be satisfactorily mitigated. Gaffron presented other issues for discussion. Staff recommended that park fees be waived for Lot 1 and deferred for Lot 2 until it is residentially developed. Council would have to decide whether Stormwater and Drainage Trunk Fees would be due for the plat. He suggested Council document allowable fire station uses. Staff recommended that Council consider platting Lot 2 as an outlot since it was uncertain how the lot would ultimately be used. He stated it would be most appropriate to dedicate the road corridor as a public road, and then name it. No application fees had been paid. Staff recommended that as a minimum, all out -of- pocket and consultant costs be charged. Moorse stated that he had received an email from the fire chief requesting that they approve the tower. Flint, Sansevere, and Mayor Peterson all stated that they were not convinced the extra 5' of height was necessary. Sansevere stated he was comfortable with all of the staff's recommendations. Moorse stated they could approve the tower up to 30' in height. Mayor Peterson asked about the ambulance portion of the fire station being the last. add - alternate. Jabbour stated that the committee agreed they would build the ambulance portion, and that portion would not be subject to the cost -cap, and would definitely be • 9