03-25-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 25, 2002 7:00 o'clock p.m. • ( #02 -2763 Clayt and Julie Tabor, Continued) The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their March meeting and has requested the Council review this application because it would require either rezoning or granting of a lot area variance. The consensus of the Planning Commission was that this request is not consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance. Weinberger stated this property has recently been included in the MUSA, but noted that the City's Comprehensive Plan is clear in stating that including rural properties into the MUSA area did not mean these are properties intended for rezoning or higher density development. The Planning Commission did review this item at their March meeting, and since it was a sketch plan review, did not make a formal recommendation. The Planning Commission did look at, however, the precedent that might be set by approving this lot division and the fact that this subdivision is not consistent with what the City has done in the past. Weinberger noted Staff has identified two occasions when a subdivision was approved that created lots less than the required lot area for the respective zoning district since the rezoning of the City in 1975. Sansevere inquired whether the property owners were aware they were in a two -acre district at the time they purchased the property. Tabor stated they were aware of that and were told by the real estate agent that they could possibly subdivide the property. Tabor indicated they have been approached by some people recently who currently live in Long Lake and are being displaced by the new Highway 12 corridor about the possibility of buying a portion of their property. Tabor stated the development adjacent to their property consists of 22 homes, all of which are less than one acre. Tabor stated the largest property located in this area is slightly over two acres, which is adjacent to their property. Tabor stated if the lots were subdivided, the 1.66 acre lot would not be inconsistent with what is currently in the area. Tabor commented they would like to continue to reside in Orono, but are forced to consider relocating because they are financially unable to renovate their house without selling a portion of their property. Tabor stated only one neighbor has expressed a concern with the proposal out of the 23 properties. Sansevere expressed a concern that approval of this request would result in a precedent being set, and stated this could open up the door to others who want to subdivide their lots that do not meet the minimum lot size standard. Tabor questioned whether a precedent would be set, noting there are possibly two or three lots that would fall into that scenario. White questioned how many parcels have been combined into a single parcel that originally were separate parcels. Gaffron stated there are quite a few combined lots in the Navarre area, Saga Hill, and Casco Point area. Gaffron indicated the philosophy of the City has been to encourage combination of small lots to prevent PAGE 8