05-12-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 12, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 16 5. #14-3653 STONEBROK DEVELOPMENT, LLC, AND STONEBAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – 755, 757, 759, 771, 773, AND 775 BRIDGEWATER DRIVE, AND LOT 18, STONEBAY 4TH ADDITION – EASEMENT VACATION AND PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT APPROVAL – RESOLUTION NO. 6400 Gaffron stated before the City Council is the master plan for Stonebay development, which has been under development for the last ten years. This section of the development was originally platted for six lots and has been reduced to five lots for a number of reasons. Gaffron stated at the present time they are vacant parcels. Gaffron noted the master plan layout also depicts a shared driveway situation. Under the current proposal, each unit will have its own driveway. Gaffron noted the shared driveway situations have been challenging in Stonebay since they are difficult to maneuver and parking is an issue. Gaffron stated one of the benefits of going to five lots is that the units that would have been built up to the wetland buffer are now given additional room between the back of the structure and the wetland buffer. Gaffron displayed a color rendition of a typical unit that would be constructed on the lots. Gaffron noted the homeowners association has been very active in finding developers to finish off the units. Gaffron noted that at the north end of Boulder Drive, Units 28 and 29 originally had a side-loading garage on 28 and a shared driveway for 26, 27, and 28 as well as a retaining wall system, which left Unit 28 almost impossible to use. The developer is now proposing a single unit on that lot rather than two units and would be a combination of those two lots, which does not require approval by the City. The property owners for the existing buildings have been concerned about how that duplex would get built and this proposal solves that issue. Gaffron noted the City Council will also need to vacate an existing drainage easement. Staff has received comments from three of the four utility companies serving Stonebay. None oppose the easement vacation/rededication. It is anticipated that a similar response will be received from the other utility company, Mediacom, as there are no apparent existing utilities or planned future utility needs in the small triangle being vacated. Gaffron noted that Staff recommends approval of the re-plat and easement vacation, subject to rededication of the drainage and utility easement over newly created Lot 6. McMillan commented it appears to be a better design and that she appreciates the efforts the homeowners association have spent finding a developer to finish the lots. McMillan asked how much of the development remains to be built. Gaffron indicated approximately 45 rambler units have been constructed out of 100. Levang asked where those units are located. Gaffron displayed a color layout of the development. Gaffron noted there are six additions total within the development and that the seventh addition is merely a re-plat of the fourth addition. Gaffron indicated all of the additions were platted approximately five years ago and that this would not be a new plat or new addition except for the fact that the easement is being vacated.