11-17-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 20, 2014 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 28 Nash stated their storm water management requires that and the water quality should be improved with the biofiltration systems that are being installed. Nash stated essentially the site currently has no treatment before it leaves the site and so from that standpoint it will improve. Nash stated in addition the Watershed District has indicated they want to monitor how much the water quality will be improved and have installed a monitoring system on the culvert located on the south side of the road to see how much it does improve. Nash noted they have to improve it under the rules. Schoenzeit asked if there is a number of BMPs that they have to meet to improve that. Nash stated they have to submit a full storm water management report that will be reviewed by the City and the Watershed District that will spell that out. Leskinen stated she is going to pull away from the water issues for a while and talk about some of the other aspects of the project. Leskinen stated in her view the developer has made great strides on the development and that the privately owned space is a great idea. Leskinen stated in her view there has been good collaboration with the neighbors and the homeowners association. Leskinen stated with regard to the requirement for the boulevard trees, she would be in favor of asking the Council to grant some flexibility on that. Leskinen noted the City saw an application not so very long ago where they did not want the contrived look of a tree every 40 feet along the boulevard and that she would like to recommend to the City Council to grant some flexibility with that. Leskinen stated the number of trees being planted would likely not be reduced but that the trees could perhaps be located elsewhere. Leskinen stated she also likes the idea of a conservation area surrounding the site since that will help keep the development more natural looking. Leskinen stated maintenance of any septic systems in the conservation areas will need to be spelled out and that she would suggest the Planning Commission make that recommendation as well. Leskinen stated continued attention to onsite storm water management and water management would also be in her recommendations. McGrann stated he is in agreement that the developer has been very thoughtful about the neighbors’ concerns and that the private ownership of the public space is a great idea. McGrann stated he is not sure it has to be a destination park and that no parking might prevent attracting others to the area, particularly in light of the fact that the homeowners associations will be involved in the ownership of it. McGrann stated in his view the City need to have something to show that they are putting in more trees throughout the development or in the public space than what are being removed. McGrann stated he also agrees that the drain tiles is an issue that needs to be addressed and that it might be more appropriate to address it on a site-by-site basis. Schwingler stated he does not have much more to add to what has already been stated. Schwingler noted attempting to identify the drain tile up front would delay the project and that it can be handled on a site- by-site basis. Schwingler stated he wants Staff to ensure that the water drainage off of Lots 16 and 17 is addressed. Schwingler stated in his view a housing development versus a golf course will be an improvement to the lake and that overall the development is a great community project that is coming together based on how Item #01 - PC Agenda - 11/17/2014 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 10/20/2014 [Page 15 of 28]