HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment letter 11-19-19
November 19, 2019
Julie Thometz
1340 Baldur Park Road VIA EMAIL
Wayzata, MN 55391 jthometz@comcast.net
Re: Subdivision on Baldur Park
File # LA19-000084
Julie,
On Monday, November 18th, the Planning Commission reviewed your sketch plan. I had asked them 7 questions
as part of my staff report. Below are their comments. I understand you wish to create additional buildings sites for
your family. Based on the comments below, I recommend identifying locations for these lots further at the point,
and presenting a revised plan to the City Council. If you wish to receive Council’s comments based on the current
plan, the Council will discuss the project on December 9, 2019. It is expected that the Council will largely echo the
Commissions comments. The Planning Commission meeting is recorded and available for viewing on the city
website.
1. Does the Planning Commission support the lot layout as presented? The Planning Commission
was uncomfortable supporting the layout, recognizing that stormwater, proximity of the road, and
the buildability of the lots will influence alterations of the plan. Generally, the Commissioners felt
that lot 2 is not a buildable lot and should be incorporated into one lot, and shifter further into the
point.
2. Does the Commission generally support a variance from the lot area requirements?
Commissioners will not support creation of a plat that requires variances from the lot size
requirements. Lot area is defined:
a. “… In urban areas served by sanitary sewer, each lot must contain contiguous dry buildable
land equal to the minimum areas as prescribed in chapter 78 or half-acre, whichever is less
(exclusive of public and private rights-of-way, vehicular or pedestrian easements, surface
areas below the ordinary high water mark of any surface water wetlands or areas at or below
the floodplain elevation for a specific property), and have legal access to the building site
without encroachment of a wetland or floodplain area.” The lot areas will need to be
confirmed.
3. Does the Commission generally support a variance from the 75’ lake yard setback?
Commissioners will not support a variance from the 75 lake yard, requiring the lots and building
pads to shift further to the end of the point.
4. Does the Commission support a waiver from the cul de sac length standard? Commissioners will
support a waiver from this standard.
5. Does the Commission support a waiver for the new Baldur Park Road to be consistent with the
existing Baldur Park Road? Commissions will support a waiver from the standard, to be consistent
with the existing Baldur Park Road.
6. Does the Commission support a waiver from the conservation design requirement?
Commissioners do not support a waiver from this requirement. Conservation design requirements
can be found starting in section 82-300.
7. Has the Commission identified issues in addition to those identified by staff? Commissioners
comments that these felt that the area proposed for the two lots is too narrow to support building
sites. They also commented on the potential need for a guardrail along the road. The discussion
is available for viewing on the city website.
Please feel free to contact me at 952.249.4626 or by email at jbarnhart@ci.orono.mn.us if you have any questions
on the above.
Sincerely,
CITY OF ORONO
Jeremy Barnhart, AICP
Community Development Director