10-16-2017 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 16,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Mark Howry, Landscape Designer, stated they worked with the Dunkleys and Staff at taking an overall comprehensive look at the lot and that it is a very difficult project due to the lot configuration. Howry noted four more items came up today that they were not aware of and that it is not a straight forward lot. Howry commented there is no other lot like this on Lake Minnetonka and that there are still some issues that will need to be worked through. Howry stated in their view they have done a great job at working with Staff and minimizing hardcover. The big issue was the second entrance for the emergency vehicles, which will be a locked gate and not a pass-through. Howry pointed out the existing walls along the lakeshore. Due to Bill's accident,they would like to plant switch backs so a vehicle can be driven down to the lake. Howry stated there is a property on Kelly that also has a switch back that was approved by the City. Howry indicated they will also plant vegetation to make the terraced area more natural. As it relates to the wetland area,work is being done in conjunction with Solutions Blue, a civil engineering company, and wetland delineations have been done. Howry noted they will be purchasing some wetland credits and making the pond bigger. As it relates to access,there will be the turnaround up top,which will improve the access and allow for better stormwater management and improve water runoff. In addition, a portion of Walters Port will be eliminated and turned into green space. Howry stated their plan is to add more evergreens for screening as well as deciduous and ornamental trees and making it more of a naturalized wetland. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Greg Hueler,2715 Pence Lane, stated they researched lake property for five years before purchasing their current home, and that what they found after working with the builders and architects was that there were a lot of restrictions along the lake that would prevent them from building the house they had originally envisioned. As a result,the plans for the house were altered and scaled down. When Pence Lane came on the market, a decision was made to purchase that property and sell the Kelly Avenue property because the Pence Lane property already had a house on it, had the necessary easements that protect their access, and is beautifully wooded. Kelly Hueler stated while they are new to Orono,their understanding is that all the residents live under the same City Code regardless of how long they have lived here. Hueler stated while the Dunkleys have lived here for a very long time and they would have loved to come to a compromise,they purchased the Pence Lane property for the privacy they had anticipated with a private drive with only two other homes in the area. Hueler indicated they went through quite an exercise when building their home to comply with as many of the regulations as possible and that they should have a reasonable right to expect that the City Code and regulations would continue to apply to other properties in the area. Hueler noted their easement is a recorded legal right. Hueler stated when they first found out about this project,they were very shocked and surprised, but they decided it would be in everyone's best interests to try to work with the Dunkleys and to try to communicate. Hueler stated they are quite familiar with real estate and the need for communication with the applicants and the City. Hueler stated they were shocked when they learned that there had been conversations with members of the City Council prior to them even being aware of this project. Hueler noted City Council Member Richard Crosby lives on Walters Port and that he and other families will benefit quite a bit with the changes to Walters Port. Page 6 of 32