01-21-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, November 18, 2013 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 35 The Conservation Design Master Plan contains a recommendation for invasive species removal and management. Common buckthorn is to be removed from the west and east tree stands. The reed canary grass is allowed to remain in the wetland areas. In addition, diseased trees will be cut down and removed from the site. Replacement trees are to be replanted. The northeast tree stand will be protected and any lost trees are to be replanted with Big Woods types. The ecological connections will be maintained via preservation of wetlands and the northeast tree stand. Gaffron noted the proposed lot layout does not appear to conflict with the Conservation Design Master Plan since the protected areas are not proposed to be developed. The wetlands would likely require a 16-foot buffer per the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The final wetland management class needs to be conformed to meet the Watershed District’s requirements prior to final plat approval. The plat layout indicates a 35-foot wetland setback for structures, which meets the Orono wetland setback requirements. As recommended by the City Engineer, drainage and utility easements must be shown on the final plat and final street, utility and grading plans. Gaffron indicated the developer is providing stormwater management facilities on the site consisting of a number of rain garden basins rather than a single stormwater pond. It is likely the Watershed District will approve this and a final stormwater management plan will have to be submitted with the final construction plans. There is an existing drainage easement within the easterly portion of the property approximately following the creek bed. This easement does not exactly match the current flow line of the creek. This easement is proposed to be vacated and a corrected easement dedicated to replace it. Gaffron indicated the developer is providing stormwater management facilities on the site consisting of a number of rain garden basins rather than a single stormwater pond. It is likely the Watershed District will approve this and a final stormwater management plan will have to be submitted with the final construction plans. Minimum pertinent lot standards for the RPUD District are as follows: 1. A minimum lot area of 15,000 square feet. 2. Minimum lot width of 90 feet. 3. Minimum lot depth of 125 feet. 4. Front yard setbacks of 25 feet; side local street setback of 25 feet; side collector street of 50 feet; side interior to RPUD of ten feet; side abutting non-RPUD land of 15 feet; and a rear setback of 40 feet or 20 percent of lot depth. In addition, there is a 35 foot setback from the wetland. Lot 1, Block 1 will have 0.32 acres of dry buildable land for the building site, which is slightly under the RPUD standard. This lot will be a corner lot, with the front lot line being the frontage along the new road. Proposed lot width is 91 feet, meeting the RPUD standard. The proposed buildable envelope is shown meeting RPUD setbacks front, interior side and wetland. However, since Willow Drive is defined as a collector road, the side street setback to Willow should be 50 feet rather than 25 feet as shown on the plan. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 [Page 6 of 35]