07/16/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING CONiMISSION MEETING Monday,July 16,2012 6:30 o'clock p.m. Westrand indicated he has developed lots in the past. Curtis indicated she spoke with the property owner last summer and they walked through the City's : requirements for a subdivision on the property. The property owner did not go forward at that time and that this is the first submittal in the process. Schoenzeit noted the City has had other developers who have not completed a Conservation Design and that Staff typically provides them with a checklist of items that needs to be completed. Gaffron stated one of Staffs recommendations is that prior to lot lines being defined,that they should identify what the City values on the site that should be preserved,such as wetlands and views. Step one in the subdivision process should be the conservation design. Ken Westrand indicated that the applicant,John Lein, is currently in Europe. If the sketch plan is approved or looked upon favorably,he will bring back a formal submission to the Planning Commission. Mr.Lein has retained Rusty Olson to perform PERC tests for the septic. The creek that runs through the property originally was spring fed, and when the development was done to the north, it went dry. Since then a home was constructed on the north side and the drainage from that lot is feeding the creek at the present time. Mr.Lein would like to do minimum dirt moving and save as many trees as possible. He is opposed to the idea of bringing in sanitary sewer but that if the development does need city sewer,then he would want to reduce the lots to one acre. Mr.Lein will be back in the States at the end of July. He would like to begin the development in 2013. Westrand indicated he had trouble understanding everything that was said here tonight,but that he would suggest Mr.Lein meet with the planner once he gets back to see what requirements he needs to meet. Schoenzeit stated Staff will wait for the Conservation Design Plan before commencing further work on the sketch plan. Thiesse recommended he check with the fire deparhnent on the bridge. Curtis noted that will not be the access to the development and that it is an existing walking bridge to gain access to the barn. • Thiesse asked whether that will be removed. Curtis stated it is likely that will be eliminated. Levang asked if the barn will remain. Curtis stated she has not discussed that with the applicant. Levang stated in her view preservation of the trees is important. Schoenzeit stated with the neighbor's property feeding the creek,the impact this plan would have on the creek will need to be looked at. Page 15