re: sewer extension and connection status

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To: Building /Zoning/ Planning Staff Scott Oberaigner, Public Works Department Permits Staff City Engineer City Attorney Street Address File: 3125 Fox Street 1135 Spring Hill Road From: Mike Gaffron, Asst. City Admin. - Long Term Strategy Date: October 30, 2008 Subject: Sewer Extension & Connection Status The City Council has previously approved sewer extension projects and sewer connections for the two above referenced properties. In July 2008 the Met Council recommended denial of the required MPCA permit for the extension to serve 3125 Fox Street. The basis for the denial was that such an extension subjects the property to inclusion in Orono's "residential development density calculation" which must result in the calculation yielding an overall development density since year 2000 of 3.0 units per acre or more. Inclusion of these or other properties in that calculation is likely to place us out of compliance with the 3.0 units per acre requirement. The City disagrees with this rationale and disagrees that this property and those similarly situated in the MUSA since 1998-2000 should be included in the calculation when no Com Plan Amendment is involved. However, until this issue is resolved between the City and Met Council, these two properties, and others like them, cannot move forward with sewer connection plans. Further, any proposed subdivision of property that will require extension of sewer to serve new additional lots and hence requiring an MPCA permit, regardless of zoning district, will likely be denied by MPCA. The City is aggressively pursuing a resolution of this issue with Met Council, as it impacts all new sewered development and sewer connections in the existing MUSA where an extension of sewer to a property is proposed. Until this is resolved, please contact me for an update on the situation any time you are faced with a proposal that requires sewer extension.