07-26-1999 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 26, 1999 ( #5) #2490 CHARLES VAN EECKHOUT, 120 BROWN ROAD SOUTH - SKETCH PLAN REVIEW Charles. Van Eeckhout, Applicant, was present along with Tom Loucks, Planner. Gaffron stated the Applicant is requesting City Council direction regarding potential rezoning of this site to allow higher density housing. This lot is comprised of 20 acres, with roughly 12 to 14 acres being dry buildable. This lot is located outside of the MUSA, but an issue for City Council consideration is whether this property should be developed with City sewer regardless of whether it is rezoned. A third item for consideration is whether Council believes the site should be considered for a Planned Residential Development. Gaffron stated the Applicant presented a sketch plan to the Planning Commission which called for nine sewered building sites ranging in size from 1.0 acre to 1.8 acre. The Planning Commission did not offer the Applicant much direction as they felt that the City Council should determine whether this property should be rezoned and whether City sewer should be provided. Loucks stated that this 20 acre parcel has unique characteristics, noting that the site abuts the City of Long Lake as well as the Long Lake sewer lines. The site is adjacent to some two acre developments as well as a number of one -third to one acre residential developments in • Long Lake. Loucks requested that the City Council consider the possibility of a PRD for this property. Loucks stated the proposed lots range from 15,000 to 20,000 feet to 1.5 acres with a diversity of housing being contemplated. The Applicant will attempt to preserve as much of the natural features of this property as possible. Gaffron stated that a zoning code amendment requires a 4/5's majority vote, noting that this property would not need to be rezoned in order to do a PRD if density standards are met. The number of units being proposed does exceed the number that could be accomplished through a standard two acre plat, and a PRD does not allow the City to increase the density, hence this proposal for nine lots on 12 - 14 acres would require rezoning. Kelley commented that he is not in favor of rezoning, but would support a PRD with seven lots and hookup to City sewer: Mayor Jabbour thanked the Applicant for his efforts in attempting to preserve the natural characteristics of this property. Kelley remarked that he was unsure whether onsite sewer sites would be available on this site due to the topography and wetlands that exist. • Flint inquired if the zoning is not changed, how a PRD would assist the Applicant.