05-08-2017 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,May 8,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. " 15. #17-3941 LAKE WEST DEVELOPMENT,LLC,OB/O RICK AND BARBARA LUPIENT,3580 IVI'PLACE, SKETCH PLAN REVIEW—Continued Fretham stated they will address that neighbor's concerns and that the situation should be improved as part of this project. Fretham indicated he has also met with the neighbor regarding the view easement and that they believe by getting further along in this process it will make those discussions easier. Crosby asked if there is only one neighbor that has an issue with the view. Gaffron indicated there is one lot that has a view easement. Gaffron noted the Planning Commission also discussed restricting construction parking and storage of materials to the site only. Fretham stated the property consists of over two acres and that they will be able to accommodate the construction parking and material storage. The City Council took no forxnal action on this item. (Recess taken from 9:12 p.m.to 9:19 p.m.) 16. #17-3922 CITY OF ORONO,TEXT AMENDMENT: WETLANDS REGULATIONS— ORDINANCE NO. 196,Third Series. Barnhart stated before the City Council tonight is a proposed text amendment related to wetland regulations. Wetland regulations,and primarily the setbacks related to wetlands,ranked number six on the Council's priorities set last fall. The Development Process Review Committee also recommended that the wetland regulations be reviewed to be more consistent with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. There are two primary areas where the City ordinances differ from the Watershed District rules. Those areas are buffer setbacks and when wetland delineations are required. Barnhart noted there is a difference between a buffer and a setback. A wetland buffer is established by the Watershed District as a"No-Touch"area when the Watershed District requires a delineation. No activity may occur in the buffer. This buffer distance ranges from 12.5 to 75 feet depending on the type of wetland. The Watershed allows buffer averaging, which is an increase of the buffer depth in one area of the lot to reduce it in another area. A wetland setback is established by the City. No structure may be built within the setback but other activity may occur in that area. Orono's setbacks vary between 35 feet and 85 feet. Currently,city code requires a 35-foot setback minimum and is often used when no buffer has been established by the Watershed District. Bamhart stated in situations where there is a wetland but a buffer has not been required,the City requires a 35-foot setback or whatever the wetland buffer would be. Walsh asked why the Watershed District would say no wetland buffer is necessary. Page 20 of 34