10/18/2010 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 18,2010 6:30 o'clock p.m. Gaffron stated the Watershed District also has taken the stance that they do not want to review projects until the City has approved them. Currently the City shares oversight of erosion control with the MCWD. Feuss asked what the process is for changing the oversight jurisdiction. Gaffron indicated once the plan is approved,there will be a memorandum of agreement with the Watershed District that will define whom is responsible for what. Orono can indicate at that time the areas they would like to assume responsibility for. Feuss commented she would strongly support Orono assuming additional responsibility to avoid the average property owner from having to deal with two government agencies on permits. Murphy concurred that it is difficult for the average property owner to deal with two agencies and that there are philosophical differences between the two,which should probably be addressed. Winer stated the Watershed District is easy to work with but that it is difficult to determine which agency has the ultimate responsibility for certain areas. Murphy commented that perhaps a simultaneous planning process would be the best solution. Gaffron stated in order to meet MCWD requireinents for phosphorus removal, a number of storm water system improvement projects have been identified and placed in a 10-year CIP that is fairly ambitious but is necessary given that many of these projects were included in the 2002 SWMI'CIP but were never accomplished due to a variety of factors. Orono's Storm Water Utility generates approximately$135,000 per year and the proposed CIP has an annual cost of$250,000-300,000. Options for maldng up this deficit may include limited increases to the storm water utility rates,partnering with MCWD or others, and a more aggressive approach to pursuit of grant money. Gaffron indicated the Plan also proposes that Orono will assist in funding of MCWD projects that result in phosphorus reduction exceeding the goals established for a given project, in exchange for credit for the excess phosphorus reduction exceeding the goals established for a given project,in exchange for credit for the excess phosphorus amounts, especially within the Painters Creek subwatershed. Since the updated Storm Water Management Plan is technically an amendment of the 2002 SWMP, a public hearing at the Planning Commission is required. Legal notice for the hearing was published on October 7�'and October 14°i. Formal adoption by the City Council is anticipated to occur on October 25`�'. This schedule is necessary to have the SWMP in effect by November ls',which is a requirement of the BWSR Clean Water Fund Grant application process for fiscal year 2011. Staff recommends approval of the plan. Acting Chair Schoenzeit opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this item. Page 3