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1VIINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMNIISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 21,2012 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the applicant needs to understand the risks associated with constructing a house in this <br /> location. <br /> John Stavig,Applicant,stated two months ago a lot of the discussion from the Planning Commission <br /> centered around the stability of the road and the unique nature of the driveway bed. Following <br /> discussions with Staff, Stavig indicated he has gained an understanding of the intent of the regulations <br /> and that they have attempted to address the intent of the regulations. <br /> The 20-year plan talks about land forms being highly varied in Orono,different compositions of soil,the <br /> ability of each soil type to adequately accommodate development varies considerably in Orono, and how <br /> there should be careful examination of the property to determine the most appropriate land use. The <br /> minutes from the last meeting focused on that the Planning Commission looks at these cases on a case by <br /> case basis and that they would hate to send the applicant on an expensive goose case. <br /> Stavig indicated he tried to focus on what was discussed at the last meeting and had an engineer look at <br /> the stability of the roadbed. Stavig stated his engineer feels that positioning the structure immediately <br /> above the existing driveway provides the most stable location. <br /> At the last meeting there was a discussion about potential placement of the structure on the property. <br /> Stavig stated in his view this property is unique and there are some unusual circumstances relating to the <br /> driveway bed. The engineer's comments regarding how the road bed has been stable for 100 years <br /> confirms that this is a good location for the house. The extensive vegetation immediately below the <br /> driveway bed would not be impacted and will help screen the house. Stavig noted if you look at the back <br /> of the proposed house,you can barely see it from the lake and you cannot see the shed or the other <br /> buildings. <br /> Stavig stated he appreciates Staff's willingness to try to come up with a solution but that Planner <br /> Gaffron's option creates a significantly smaller house in comparison to the other homes in the <br /> neighborhood. Stavig noted the tennis court is shared by four homes and being less than 30 feet from the <br /> tennis court would be an issue. Pushing it toward the south is also an issue. Stavig stated having the <br /> house forward would make the house out of character with the other e�cisting homes in terms of size and <br /> would necessitate constructing a 2-1/2 story house,which would be more visible. The proposed home <br /> will be located more than 300 feet from the shoreline and they are offering this as the best location. <br /> Stavig noted they would be meeting the 30-foot setback with their proposal and that in his view they have <br /> addressed the erosion issues and complies with the spirit of the regulation. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether there have ever been any other improvements to this property aside from the <br /> gravel driveway bed. Schoenzeit asked whether there has ever been a house on this property. <br /> Gaffron indicated it has not except for the little shed. <br /> Stavig stated the original house to the south has always had common ownership with this property and <br /> has been taxed separately since 1969. Hennepin County refuses to lower the taxes on the property even <br /> with the restrictions that are imposed on the property. Stavig noted he has paid over$200,000 in taxes on <br /> this parcel and that it is taxed at almost the same rate as his other lot with lakeshore. <br /> Page 8 <br />