10-20-2014 Planning Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15, 2014 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 47 of 59 comprehensive site restoration plan was developed. Hiller stated as part of that work, they will be working with Prairie Restorations. Hiller noted it was mentioned earlier that some of the septic sites are within the buildable area and some of them are within the Conservation Easement. Hiller stated they did not want the septic sites to drive the conservation area, and if a septic site is located in a conservation area, Prairie Restorations will be looking at planting natural vegetation in those areas to allow the septic site to blend in more with the natural topography. Hiller stated there is nothing wrong with having the septic sites within the conservation area and that it helped to create a better defined boundary for the conservation area. Hiller indicated there will be language in the homeowners association documents that will make it very clear what the individual property owner’s responsibilities are with regard to the conservation easement. The septic sites will also be signed and no structures will be allowed in the conservation area. In addition, Prairie Restorations has been retained to maintain the wetlands over the long-term. Hiller stated there is a long-term process once the conservation areas are re-cultivated in order to maintain them and the association will be the enforcer of the conservation easement as well as any covenants. Hiller stated it will be very clear to the future property owners what their responsibilities are with regard to the conservation area. Hiller indicated they have met with the City Council on a number of occasions and heard that there was little to no flexibility on the two-acre minimum. Hiller noted all the lots now meet the two-acre minimum with the exception of two lots that are slightly below the two-acre minimum. Hiller stated those two lots will require a simple lot line shift and will be corrected prior to the next Planning Commission meeting. The application and the plat at that point will be entirely conforming on the two-acre minimum. Hiller stated in order to get the plat to work with the two-acre minimum, some of the lots are below 150 feet. Hiller indicated they made up for that with an extra amount of depth. Hiller stated given the randomness of the lots, the shape of the lots and the position of the building pads, it is not that noticeable. Hiller noted they will be in compliance with the setbacks but some of the street curves are not able to meet the 30-mile rate at the entrance and that they will be asking for a little bit of leeway on the street curves given the use of the road in that specific area. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 10/20/2014 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 09/15/2014 [Page 47 of 59]