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, <br /> MINUTES OF THE <br /> , SPECIAL ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Wednesday,Apri17,2010 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Bill Odden, 3450 North Shore Drive, sta.ted as it relates to affordable rental properiy,the rezoning will cause <br /> more problems than it solves. As it relates to the City's inability to get sewer into more areas if the City does <br /> ' not comply with the density requirements, Odden noted that most of the lots have two acres or more and they <br /> would have their own private septic system, so he does not understand why that would be a problem. <br /> Gaffron stated the City does have a number of properties within the rural area that have experienced septic <br /> system failures and that the property owners have until the end of 2010 to bring those into compliance. The <br /> City also has a number of parcels that have drain field issues that do not have alternate sites available due to <br /> code changes. There is one neighborhood that was built in the late 1970s, early 1980s,where approximately <br /> two-thirds of the homes have septic issues. If no alternate sites are available, sewer would need to be <br /> provided. <br /> Kang asked what Mr. Odden's concern is regarding rental properties. <br /> Odden stated affordable rental properties tend to increase the crime and bring in residents from outside the <br /> area. <br /> Susan Seeland,470 Peavey Road, expressed a concern regarding her 200-acre fann that is located partially in <br /> Medina and partially in Orono off of County Road 6. For over 20 years this property has been included in the <br /> Urban Reserve Area for the Metropolitan Council's future Blue Lake sewer service area. Seeland indicated <br /> she would like to be included in the MUSA system. Seeland stated last year they proposed six lots clustered <br /> , on a 23-acre piece of property. The property has six acres of wetlands. They did not go ahead with the project <br /> because they were unable to justify the cost of hooking up to the MUSA system and they also had a difficult <br /> time complying with the City's requirement for wastewater. Seeland stated they were not allowed to look at <br /> more current sewer technology and were forced to scrap the project. <br /> Seeland stated at this point, until the developers are able to hook up to the sewer that is adjacent to the property <br /> line,they will not be able to develop that site. Seeland requested the City consider their property when <br /> discussing the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Seeland pointed out that their property is shown as 5 acres to 9.99 acres on the City's map,which is <br /> inaccurate. Seeland indicated she did speak to the City previously about that and requested the maps be <br /> updated. Seeland indicated her neighbor's property should also be included in the 20-acre and over category. <br /> Ralph Kempf,3675 Togo Road, stated he would like to acknowledge the work that Mike Gaffron and the City <br /> Council and Planning Commission have done on the Comprehensive Plan and in working with the <br /> Metropolitan Council in an attempt to maintain Orono's rural character. <br /> Lori Reid,263 Harrington Circle, stated her property is located directly in back of the fire station. Reid stated <br /> she would like a clear definition of what the City calls affordable work force housing. Reid expressed a <br /> concern regarding what that would do to their neighborhood as well as their property values. <br /> Gaffron stated the property that is being discussed for affordable work force housing is located behind the fire <br /> station, another property is located directly north of the fire station, and another property is located to the <br /> south. The proposal that has been before the Council informally to date is for a townhome development. <br /> There has not been a final design proposed for that site. Gaffron indicated he is not that familiar with all the <br /> particulars of that type of development. <br /> Page 7 <br />