10-24-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 10, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 11. #16-3855 ERIC AND ANDREA LARSON, 690 BROW ROAD NORTH, SCOTT AND JEANNE MABUSTH, 740 BROWN ROAD NORTH — SKETCH PLAN REVIEW (continued) Gaffron stated it is possible they could have had discussions in the far past with the applicant but that he got the impression that the Watershed District has not had an opportunity to really visit the site. McMillan stated on the Lakeview development, it was very beneficial to have the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District involved right from the start and that is something that should be pursued with this development since it is really hard to come in after houses are built to add stormwater improvements. McMillan noted the City did give some credit on Lakeview for the enhancements and that she would encourage the developer to reach out to the Watershed District in the near future. McMillan stated based on the comments so far, she does not see the Council being in favor of this plan, but that she would ask for any additional comments from the neighbors that have not already been discussed. Tim Adams, 1810 West Farm Road, stated he moved to his property 47 years ago. At that time the area had hills, woods, streams, and wetlands, which are all the characteristics that are unique to Orono. Adams stated the applicants are blessed with the same topography. Adams stated the concern with Long Lake is not unique and that he can remember sitting and worrying about water quality, stormwater runoff, and how it should be handled. In 1974, Adams indicated he became the developer of the farm along with John Hartwell. At that time they had two objectives: One was to preserve the natural features but also to live within the existing zoning and Comprehensive Plan of Orono, which basically required two acre lots and open spaces. Sewer was an important guide to that but it was not the only reason for two acres. Adams stated 42 years later, he believes they have had a successful development. They created 24 lots on 70 acres, which is over three acres per lot. Adams stated someone could say he was not too profitable, but that is what it takes. Each lot has a conservation easement and there were no changes to Orono's Comprehensive Plan, zoning or city ordinances. In addition, Long Lake was protected with ponds and streams and the open spaces and views were protected. Adams stated they met the standards for private septic systems required for rural areas and since that time three of the lots along the lakeshore have bought some of the extra sewer units. Adams stated from 1979 to 1986, he served on the Planning Commission and City Council for Orono, and the benefit of that was to see enforcement of these principles. Adams stated in the Power Point presentation they submitted, they took 52 lots that add up to approximately 180 acres that were developed in those neighborhoods. Those properties include lots in Homestead, Salem Court, Dickey Lake, Shadow Wood and other properties along Brown Road North. The average size of those lots is approximately 3.5 acres. Adams stated with this sketch plan there are really two development concepts. The first concept is one that they could come to love as a neighborhood, which is six lots on 10.9 acres or one unit per 1.8 acres. Adams stated he sees in this plan a lot of things that he and Jeanne Mabusth worked on while they served on the Planning Commission, which was to protect the wetlands, creation of buffer lots, which are the two acre lots, protection for the neighborhood, and protection of the lake. Page 19 of 26