09-12-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 10. 016-3847 CHARLES CUDD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF DDK, LLC, 2525, 2535, AND 2545 SHADYWOOD ROAD, PRELINHNARY PLAT AND REZONING — RESOLUTION NO. 6668 (continued[) Walsh stated when it comes to the issues of the residents, the Council needs to weigh which ones have more weight. Walsh noted visibility is a big concern for the residents. Printup stated he just wants the Council to be prepared to tell other people that they can leave the buckthorn. Printup stated in his mind the Council is sending a mixed message by allowing the buckthorn here to remain. Levang commented since this is an RPL"D, the City has a leg to stand on. McMillan stated she is sensitive to the Iand clearing of this area since this lot was clear cut once in the past. McMillan stated it is best over time that the buckthorn is removed and other vegetation planted and that it will now be the homeowners who have to take that on. McMillan stated she does not want another round of extensive clear cutting given the impacts on the area. Printup stated it is setting the City up for other requests in the future. Rick Denman, Charles Cudd, stated they have done a lot to keep the neighbors happy and that they have taken steps to preserve as many trees as possible. Denman noted the neighbors are okay with leaving the buckthorn but that he will leave the issue up to the City Council. McMillan asked whether this is something that the homeowners association could address long-term. Denman stated it would be hard for Charles Cudd to monitor it over time, but if the Council is open to allowing the residents who move in here having an organized way to buffer the area, that could be an option. Printup stated the comment that the neighbors are okay with it implies that they do not care that it is in the code. Printup questioned whether the City should eliminate it from the code and leave it up to individual property owners. Printup stated he does not want to put a future Council in the position where this situation is brought up. McMillan stated that might be a good topic of discussion when the City Council discusses code issues in November. John Stein stated the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will be adverse to removing any buckthorn in the wetland or wetland buffer areas. Stein stated the buckthorn will go into the wetland area a lot further than what everyone believes. Denman stated as it relates to the trail, they want to be careful to retain the buffer and that they are debating possibly planting a couple rows of arborvitae or whether there will be fence. Denman indicated they will work with Staff to figure out the grading for a possible future trail. Denman noted that ten feet on this particular site will have an impact. Denman stated since there are only seven lots, he wants to be careful on what they are spending on landscaping but that he wants to have a nice buffer from Shadywood. Page 5 of 34