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MINUTES OF TII� <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMNIISSION MEETING <br /> July 20,2009 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 3. 09-3416 LOREN BUTTERFIELD,3925AA WATERTOWN ROAD, SUBDIVISION— <br /> PRELIMINARY PLAT,6:45 P.M.—7:33 P.M. <br /> Loren Butte�eld,Applicant,was present. <br /> Curtis stated the applicant is requesting preliminary plat approval for the division of one 14 acre lot, <br /> which includes the portion of the property across the Luce Line Trail,to be divided into two buildable lots <br /> containing five plus dry acres each. <br /> The proposed single-family development with 5-plus acre lot sizes is consistent with existing <br /> development in the surrounding neighborhood. The surrounding properties vary in size between 5 to 30 <br /> acre lots,with a few small existing 1 plus acre lots nearby. The applicant also owns the properties at 3955 <br /> and 3905 Watertown Road,which are directly adjacent. The septic inspector has given preliminary <br /> approval to the proposed septic sites. <br /> The property is located in the RR-lA, One Family Rural Residential District,which allows for single <br /> � family rural residential uses with a minimum lot size of five dry buildable acres. Under a standard <br /> subdivision process, each proposed lot would have to contain the minimum of 5.0 acres of dry buildable <br /> land. The current survey depicts two lots with a conforming density of one lot per five dry acres. Only <br /> one new lot is being proposed. <br /> The northern portion of this lot is currently being used as a greenhouse operation. The greenhouse has <br /> been operating on this site with a CUP since at least 1969. The remainder of the site includes a large, <br /> centrally located wetland,with woods along the Luce Line Trail, and low rolling topography. A <br /> greenhouse operation and a residence currently exist on proposed Lot 1. At this time the existing home <br /> and the greenhouse operation are proposed to remain. Proposed Lot 2 will straddle the Luce Line Trail <br /> and will contain the majority of the wetlands. The suggested home site on Lot 1 is over 350 feet from <br /> Watertown road and over 400 feet from the suggested home site on Lot 2,which proposed to preserve the <br /> open character of the land. <br /> There are a number of driveways serving the property. Currently the applicant is proposed to use Outlot <br /> C,which serves as the access for 3905 Watertown to access the new Lot 2. The existing greenhouse <br /> buildings and shed are between one foot and 18 feet from the edge of the existing outlot. Widening of <br /> this outlot to the private road standard width of 50 feet would cut through the existing shed and directly <br /> abut the existing greenhouse buildings. <br /> The Luce Line Trail crosses the southern portion of this development. The CMI'indicates that no future <br /> trails are proposed along Watertown Road. Park dedication or fees would be established by City Council <br /> resolution. <br /> The applicant would like to maintain the existing access to Lot 1 and access Lot 2 and 3905 Watertown <br /> via Outlot C. The City's previous approvals included discussions about requiring a widened outlot, <br /> creation of a private road with a cul-de-sac meeting City standards at the time of further development of <br /> 3925 Watertown. In addition, in order to consolidate access onto Watertown Road,it was intended that <br /> 3925 Watertown abandon its existing access to Watertown Road and access the property via Outlot C. <br /> The City would require standard perimeter, drainage and utility easements around all property boundaries <br /> in the plat as well as Conservation and Flowage Easements over the delineated wetlands and wetland <br /> PAGE 3 <br />