06-23-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JUNE 23,1997 ( #7 - #2240 Tim Waters Sketch Plan - Continued) 9 Waters indicated that sketch plan 4 would require clearing of land which was adverse to the desire of preserving open space and trees. Sketch plan 3 preserves the topography according to Waters with large lots averaging nearly one acre in size, with the flexibility in spacing of the homes on the lots. This plan would allow for undisturbed zones and buffering for the park. Waters feels this plan would provide a high quality development with minimum impact. Waters does not feel that sewering is an issue in the right location. He feels the plan addresses the public health issue noting mound septic systems are damaging to wooded areas due to space needs. Waters said the plan would provide for 19 lots and a right -of- way easement to West Branch Road eliminating the need for the long cul -de -sac on Wiidhurst Trail. Waters said the property could be developed regardless of the issue of rezoning noting the one acre parcels are within the MUSA for sewering and the two acre parcels could remain as such. He felt a better development than this could be gained. He indicated that a change to the MUSA boundary would be modest and be an administrative change. He believes the boundary is atypical at best, and a change would be similar to other modifications to the boundary made in the past and in keeping with the current neighborhood. • Jabbour noted the applicant's sensitivity to the issue of preserving the park area but felt there were more substantial issues with the application. He indicated that the park land did not have to be bisected but could be. He said the main issue is with the sewering of other properties within the City. Jabbour noted that other property owners are also requesting sewer with similar reasons why their properties should be sewered. Jabbour said he would not favor changing City policy to accommodate one applicant. It would be a major change in how the City operates if the policy was driven by one application. He cited the example of the length of time and discussions regarding sewering of the ice arena which was supported by all agencies. Jabbour indicated it is an honorable goal to change the MUSA in order to eliminate bisecting the park land but not if it involves changing City policy. Jabbour asked for Staffs recommendation. Gaon indicated that the City's policy is long standing. He noted that rezoning is rarely considered. Gaffron said he believes in order to develop the property, it would require severing or no development should occur. He noted that other similar requests could occur from properties abutting the hot spots for sewering. He did note the uniqueness of the property and design of the MUSA boundary at this location. Goetten asked how the MUSA boundary was originally determined. Gaffron said it followed the 1975 rezoning. •