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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 19 of 31 (8. #14-3694 PETER RENNEBOHM, 4565 BAYSIDE ROAD – PRELIMINARY PLAT – RESOLUTION NO. 6462, Continued) that he did have an opportunity to review Orono’s code. Code 82-47 refers to the stormwater drainage and trunk fees schedule, and in there it talks about a new development or a redevelopment of an existing parcel, but it also talks about the use of land. Bigelow stated he has heard that Orono’s policy is to set the fees based on the entire parcel or both parcels in a subdivision. Bigelow stated in this case there is a 10-acre parcel where a 2-acre parcel is being carved off, and that in his view the new development that is likely to occur here will just be on the 2-acre parcel. The existing eight acres will still continue to be a single parcel and continue to have a single-family home on it. No new development will occur on that 8-acre parcel. Bigelow stated their position is that it would be more fair and appropriate to use the two acres as the parcel for determining the fees. In addition, the 8-acre parcel really is subject to potential subdivision in the future and it would be more appropriate for the City to then assess or impose the fees on any subdivisions in the future. Bigelow stated he also had a chance to review the Riley subdivision located at 3405 High Lane, Plat Resolution No. 6140, which was approved in 2012. Bigelow stated the reason he is bringing that up is the subdivision is very similar to this scenario. In the Riley subdivision, they had nine acres and were carving off two acres. The Rileys also argued the point that the fees should be reduced and that they should be treated somewhat differently than other subdivisions because of the uniqueness of the property and the fact that this single-family home will not create any environmental impact to the property. They also argued that the City could impose the fees at the time the larger parcel was further subdivided. Bigelow stated in the Riley decision, the City Council correctly moved for a reduction in fee, and that he would ask that the Council take that into consideration and use that as rational for granting a reduction in this situation. Bigelow noted the Rennebohms have been Orono residents for the last 42 years plus. The Rennebohms are not professional developers and that it would be fair for the Council to calculate the fees based on the two acres. The Council also heard reference to the amount of trees planted on the property. Approximately 5,000 trees have been planted on the property, which helps demonstrate that they have been good stewards of the property. Peter Rennebohm, Applicant, stated the property originally was an alfalfa field at the time they purchased the property in 1989. Their vision at the time was to reforest it with seedlings from the DNR, and over the years approximately 5,000 trees have been planted, with approximately half of those trees surviving. Rennebohm indicated he also had tree movers come in and move them about the property once they became bigger. Rennebohm stated it has been his vision, desire, and love to preserve what is there and to create an environment for wildlife and birds. Rennebohm stated it is his hope that the next owners would maintain that vision. Levang stated she remembers buying apples from them for a number of years and that she misses that. Levang asked what the real possibility is of another lot being carved out of the 8-acre parcel. Levang stated when she looks at the septic requirements; it appears to be pretty difficult.