Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCII.,MEETING <br /> Monday,October 9,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 12. #17-3968 SHARRATT DESIGN AND COMPANY OB/O FREDERICK AND PATRICIA <br /> JOHNSON, 1565 ORCHARD BEACH PLACE(PID 07-117-23-0026)—VARIANCE—Continued <br /> Wysocki noted in 1964, 1967, 1968, 1977, 1978,2013 and 2015 the Planning Commission and Orono <br /> City Council have denied building on this lot. Wysocki stated she can remember water standing on this <br /> lot numerous times for the past 60 years and that it serves as a drainage field for a five or six acre area. <br /> Wysocki stated the lot is filtering that runoff before it goes into the lake and that they are concerned about <br /> the quality of the lake if a house is built on this property. Wysocki noted the lake has a lot of pollution <br /> problems already and that they want to make sure the lake is good for generations to come. <br /> Wysocki stated at the time the lot was purchased by Mr. Pfeffer,he came up their driveway and talked to <br /> her mother and grandmother as well as some of the other neighbors. Mr.Pfeffer knew it was an <br /> unbuildable lot at that time and that the purchase was a bad business investment and not a good place to <br /> build a home. <br /> Wysocki noted they will not be tearing down their home either and that they will be there for a long <br /> period of time. <br /> Wysocki stated as it relates to the average lakeshore setback, it will be totally out of character for the <br /> neighborhood to have a home so far in front of the average lakeshore setback and does not fit in with the <br /> rest of the homes. In addition,the City's Community Management Plan does not support the <br /> development of substandard property. <br /> Wysocki stated in her opinion there is no reasonable expectation that the owner,when he purchased it, <br /> could build on this lot. Wysocki indicated whenever she buys a car or a piece of property, she does her <br /> due diligence,which this person should have done. Had that been done,it would not have been a surprise <br /> that the lot is unbuildable. Wysocki stated there are also issues with the impacts on the environment and <br /> that the City Council should do what is right for the citizens. Wysocki stated it is much more of a <br /> hardship for the neighbors. <br /> Mary Settler,4209 North Shore Drive, stated they have resided on their property for ten years and that <br /> they enjoy watching the wildlife in this area. Settler noted there is an eagle that currently lives on this <br /> property and that it would be a disappointment if the trees are removed. <br /> Charles Tied,4345 North Shore Drive, stated he works in the environmental field and that he has noticed <br /> from the top corner of the lot to where the house is going to be consists of four or five contours. Tied <br /> stated it is very,very boggy there with constant runoff and that the applicant will have to do a lot of work <br /> on the lot to facilitate the drainage. <br /> There were no further public comments. <br /> Seals asked if this lot is considered for seasonal recreational use. <br /> Curtis stated that is what Hennepin County has it classified as because it is a non-homesteaded property. <br /> Rief stated the tax classification is separate from the City's zoning. <br /> Page 11 of 23 <br />