03-24-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 24, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 24 (5. #13-3638 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL – 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – LAKEVIEW GOLF COURSE PROPERTY – CONTINUED SKETCH PLAN, Continued) Pat Hiller noted they were before the City Council on this application on January 6. The feedback received at that time was a desire for a two acre minimum lot size, with some possible flexibility being given on the 200-foot width, minimize the grading impact to the site and work with the natural contours, and to make the connection to North Arm Drive to the north and eliminate the cul-de-sacs. Hiller indicated the cul-de-sacs have been eliminated as much as possible with their revised sketch plan. Hiller indicated they also have been exploring the possibility of obtaining city water from Minnetrista since the last meeting. Hiller stated there are four constraints with the site and they are all related to each other. Hiller stated the chart on the overhead is designed to help the Council understand the conservation design constraints, the zoning requirements, the septic locations, and the economics of the site. Hiller stated it is very important to maximize the number of lots in order to help pay for the site restoration and infrastructure associated with obtaining city water from Minnetrista. The more lots mean a lower price per lot, which leads to faster market absorption of the new homes. Hiller stated due to the nature of the site, there are only certain areas where septic sites will work. The lots must be laid out so that each has 10,000 square feet of area available for a primary and secondary location. The updated sketch plan has reduced the number of lots from 55 down to 52 lots. Based on the net area calculations, 60 lots would be allowed. The lots average 2.2 acres per lot, with direct access to the lots along North Arm Drive. Two major ecological corridors located in the middle of the site will be preserved as well as the natural water pathways. Hiller noted the current sketch plan meets the two acre zoning requirements in all but the following areas: 1. Six lots will be between 1.7 and 2.0 acres. All other lots are 2.0 or more acres. 2. Seven lots will be between 150 feet and 200 feet in width at the building pad. All other lots will be 200 feet or more. 3. Depending on final septic site locations, a few lots may require side yard setbacks as low as 20 feet. All others will be maintained at 30 feet. Hiller noted some of the septic sites will need to be placed within the Conservation Easements. If that is not allowed, some of the Conservation Easements will need to be eliminated. Hiller displayed the proposed current layout of the site. The southerly access off of West Branch will be retained. The overall design does keep the basic concept of the cul-de-sacs. The corridors through the center of the site were important to preserve the natural water pathways. Hiller stated they have rearranged some of the lot lines to ensure that each lot has approximately 10,000 square feet and two septic site pads. Hiller noted the septic sites will need to be confirmed.