HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-3998 ExP Public meeting minutesMINUTES OF THE
ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, October 16, 2017
6:30 o’clock p.m.
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Page 29 of 32
Landgraver commented the Planning Commission knew people would be encouraged to maximize the
housing space and then come back for a hardcover variance when the City approved the 7.5 side setback
and the 20 percent structural coverage limit.
Thiesse noted the hardcover is being reduced in this case.
Landgraver stated one of the positives with the proposal is that the applicants are reducing the hardcover
on the lot. Landgraver agreed that Shadywood Road is dangerous to back out on and that the turnaround
space is necessary.
Lemke moved, Leskinen seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. 17-3978, Alexander
Design Group on behalf of Travis Hansberger, 1720 Shadywood Road, granting of a rear setback
variance, a hardcover variance, and lot area and lot width variances. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0.
11. #17-3977 BRIAN BENSON ON BEHALF OF JIM AND MARY JUNDT, 1400
BRACKETTS POINT ROAD, SKETCH PLAN, 9:45 P.M. – 10:05 P.M.
Brian Benson, Builder, was present.
Barnhart stated before the Planning Commission is a sketch plan proposal for a 5-lot single family
residential development. The property consists of 13.78 acres and lies near the southern end of Brackets
Point Road.
The purpose of the sketch plan review is to obtain the feedback from the Planning Commission on some
of the issues associated with developing this piece of property. The main issue is the access to the site.
Bracketts Point Road enters the property at the north end and then cuts to the west side. Within Bracketts
Point Road is an existing sanitary sewer line that serves the area.
The property owner is proposing to vacate the road, relocate it to the interior of the site, retain the existing
sanitary sewer line and protect it with an easement with specific site improvements to protect access. The
southern end is proposed as a cul-de-sac, with separate drives to maintain access to the private road.
Barnhart stated the main policy question is whether shifting the road into the interior of the property is
acceptable. Staff will continue to make sure that emergency vehicle access is maintained.
Barnhart noted by virtue of adding four new lots onto the subject property, traffic will increase on
Bracketts Point Road and will also impact its connection with Shoreline Road to the north. Input from the
County is necessary to determine whether any improvements are necessary at this intersection. The
proposal to relocate the road to the interior of the road will help remove hardcover within the lake yard of
proposed Lots 3, 4, and 5.
The other issue is the establishment of average lakeshore setback. When new lake lots are created, the
average lakeshore setback needs to be established at the time of subdivision.
It is Staff’s belief that the existing sanitary sewer line will be adequate to service the additional homes but
that will need to be verified.
Lastly, a Conservation Design Plan will need to be completed. A number of trees will need to be
removed to facilitate the road realignment and house construction.
PC Exhibit P
18-3998
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, October 16, 2017
6:30 o’clock p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 30 of 32
Barnhart noted this project has been designed with the intention of following city ordinances in terms of
lot size, lot frontage, and things of that nature. Barnhart stated at the present time no variances appear to
be necessary.
Thiesse stated he sees this as a Lakeview type development where it is quite critical that everything be
met. Thiesse asked what the ramifications are with relocating the road.
Barnhart pointed out there are property owners that are not part of this subdivision who may want to
retain the access as it is now.
Thiesse stated he was thinking on the north end.
Barnhart illustrated the path of the proposed roadway, noting that the existing lots would still maintain
their access.
City Administrator Rief asked if the road would remain public after it is moved.
Barnhart indicated it would.
Landgraver asked what the pros and cons are of leaving the sewer line where it is.
Barnhart stated the cost to relocate the sewer line would be pretty expensive.
Thiesse stated the City would need to have vehicular access to that area.
Rief stated one of the concerns with moving the sewer line is the need for lift stations.
Landgraver asked if there is any additional maintenance cost with leaving the septic line.
Barnhart stated having the road as access makes it easier and that there will probably be some additional
impacts but that the City Engineer has reviewed it briefly and did not raise any concerns with relocating
it.
Leskinen commented having the road go down the middle might be better for the lake since it would help
with salt runoff and hardcover.
Barnhart stated having the road by the lake also provides some benefit to the area in terms of lake views.
Chuck Alcon stated since they submitted their plan, they have met with the fire chief, which led to the
basis of the radius of the cul-de-sac. The road would also improve emergency vehicles access. Alcon
stated they also met with LMCD staff, and since there will be no marina, each property owner will be
responsible to permit their own docks on their lakeshore.
Alcon indicated they also met with the MCWD staff, and they are eager to get the road off the lakeshore.
The proposal is to maintain the sewer line and provide an easement using grass pavers so the maintenance
trucks can get down there.
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, October 16, 2017
6:30 o’clock p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 31 of 32
A wetland delineation has been completed and that has been submitted to the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District. Alcon indicated they will have that information for the preliminary plat.
Attempts have been made to contact the property owners in the area and that those attempts have not been
successful at the present time. Alcon indicated they will continue to make attempts to contact them.
Alcon stated shifting of the road improves the lake quality and that they will contact Hennepin County as
far as the additional traffic going onto County Road 15. Onsite ponding and infiltration are the current
concepts for the stormwater management onsite and sanitary sewer capacity calculations will be provided
at the time of preliminary plat. Sanitary sewer maintenance access will be along the existing roadway
area but with grass pavers. The grass pavers will accommodate up to 88,000 pounds.
Alcon noted a Conservation Design Plan is required and that they will provide that at preliminary plat.
Alcon stated the two major items are relocating the road, which will help the lake quality, and then
maintaining the sanitary sewer. No new lift stations are required and quite a bit of hardcover will be
removed down near the lake. Alcon noted water will be provided via private wells and the underground
storage tank that was for fire protection will be removed because the fire chief has indicated he would not
use it.
Lemke asked if there are any issues with the grass pavers.
Alcon stated to his knowledge there are not and that Mark Gronberg is the surveyor on the project and he
has used them in the past at the Long Lake Library.
Thiesse encouraged him to get in touch with the neighbors.
Brian Benson noted they have a meeting scheduled with the owner who owns two of the three lots on
Monday and that they have also reached out to a couple of other people but have gotten no response.
Another neighbor asked whether the main house is staying and the other family is moving.
Alcon noted the 45-foot radius continues on through the corner and connects into the private road as
opposed to the curved hammerhead.
Schoenzeit asked how the proposed grading for the homes will compare to what is there.
Alcon stated they will be custom graded lots.
Benson stated they might do a custom grading plan for Lot 5 since it is low and flat.
Schoenzeit asked if these homes will have foundations or be slab on grade.
Benson indicated Lot 2 would be a walkout, Lot 3 would be a walkout, Lot 4 might be a lookout, and then
Lot 5 will likely need to be built up. Benson stated they are waiting to get feedback from this meeting
and then they will explore that a little bit more.
Alcon stated all that information will be provided at the time of preliminary plat.
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, October 16, 2017
6:30 o’clock p.m.
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Page 32 of 32
Landgraver asked what the rough square footage of the homes will be.
Benson stated the lots would be sold to end buyers and they would work with the City on their individual
building plans. Benson stated they are not planning on having any architectural covenants placed on the
property but that there would be an association for the pond.
Alcon stated the association will probably have some architectural control.
Lemke asked if an easement for the sewer connection will be needed for Lot 1.
Alcon stated the necessary easements will be provided.
The Planning Commission took no formal action on this item.
12. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2017, AND
OCTOBER 9, 2017
None
13. OTHER ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
None
PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS
Lemke asked whether anything can be done when the Planning Commission is deadlocked.
Barnhart stated according to the code, the Planning Commission has to provide a recommendation.
Leskinen noted typically there are an odd number of commissioners and would not be a problem.
ADJOURNMENT
Leskinen moved, Schoenzeit seconded, to adjourn the Orono Planning Commission meeting at
10:08 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0.
ATTEST:
____________________________________
John Thiesse, Chair
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 13, 2017
7:00 o’clock p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 3
21. #17-3977 BRIAN BENSON AND CHUCK ALCON ON BEHALF OF JIM AND MARY
JUNDT, 1400 BRACKETTS POINT ROAD, SKETCH PLAN
Barnhart stated this is a sketch plan proposal for a 5-lot subdivision of 400 Bracketts Point. The existing
house will remain but the other structures will be removed. The project is proposed to meet all minimum
development standards, including lot size, width, etc.
The plan also proposes to relocate Bracketts Point Road from the edge of the water on the west side of the
parcel and run it along the interior of the site. The public Bracketts Point Road will terminate in a cul-de-
sac at the south end of the site. A private drive will then connect to the existing private rackets Point
Road to serve the three lots at the southern end of the point. The existing sanitary sewer easement within
the road will remain and be protected by an easement. Staff prefers this option over the option that was
presented at the Planning Commission meeting. The property is subject to the Conservation Design
ordinance.
Printup asked if the City would want to keep the road private or public.
Barnhart stated since the road would serve five homes, it would be preferred that the road be public.
Chuck Alcon, Developer, stated at the recommendation of the Planning Commission, they have contacted
the neighbors in the area. There are eight PIDs involved, and five of those property owners have been
contacted and are not opposed to the project. The other three will be contacted in the near future. In
addition, they have also met with the Watershed District, the LMCD, and the fire chief.
Alcon stated the two major improvements they are looking to accomplish is to move the road away from
the lakeshore, which removes the hardcover in that area, and eliminating the hammerhead in favor of the
cul-de-sac, which meets the requirements of the fire chief.
Walsh stated relocating the road away from the water is a positive improvement. Walsh commented they
did a great job when they renovated the house and that he assumes they will do a great job on this project.
Crosby asked what the rule of thumb is for having the road become a private road.
Barnhart stated the Code outlines when a road should be private or public and it is usually determined by
the number of homes on it. The road will serve eight or nine different properties, which supports the need
for a public road.
Walsh asked what the preference of the owner is.
Alcon indicated they are proposing it as a public road and that there will be four new lots and one
existing. Each lot will have their own well. Alcon noted they will be having a series of meetings with
Staff and that they are still at the sketch plan phase.
Dankey asked if it would be very expensive to relocate the sewer line.
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 13, 2017
7:00 o’clock p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 2 of 3
Barnhart indicated it would be not be a cost the City would bear and that the applicant would need to
assume those costs. Barnhart stated when you look at the challenges of accessing a sewer pipe in 21.
#17-3977 BRIAN BENSON AND CHUCK ALCON ON BEHALF OF JIM AND MARY
JUNDT, 1400 BRACKETTS POINT ROAD, SKETCH PLAN – Continued
someone’s lake yard, it might be better from a salability standpoint to have a property unencumbered by
an easement and Staff’s recommendation is to relocate it.
Edwards stated the Public Works Department would need to access the manhole annually to clean the
pipes out and whoever owned that property would not want the City driving through their yard each year.
Alcon stated they have not looked at the engineering at this point but the objective would be to connect
further up the private road and then gravity feed down to the existing lift station.
Dankey asked about access onto County Road 15.
Alcon indicated they will be discussing that with Hennepin County.
The City Council took no formal action on this item.
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT
Seals stated Staff has been working really well with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and that she
is excited to see what the Big Island Committee and the Watershed District can do together. Seals stated
the next step is developing the mini master plan.
Printup noted Bracketts Point used to be called Starvation Point 100 years ago.
Dankey wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Crosby thanked the veterans and their families for their sacrifices.
Walsh stated he would echo Council Members Dankey’s and Crosby’s comments.
Walsh noted the Park Commission will be bringing a number of items before the City Council in the near
future and that the City will continue to improve the parks.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
22. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ORONO PARKS, GREEN SPACES, PLAYGROUNDS
AND TRAILS IN PERPETUITY – RESOLUTION NO. 6810
Rief stated he would recommend approval of the resolution and that it shows a commitment by the City to
the 456 acres of city parks and the land on Big Island. Rief stated the parks help improve the quality of
life in Orono.
Printup moved, Seals seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. , a Resolution Supporting Orono
Parks, Green Spaces, Playgrounds, and Trails in Perpetuity. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0.
MINUTES OF THE
ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 13, 2017
7:00 o’clock p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 3 of 3
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Mattick stated he had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Printup moved, Seals seconded, to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 9:18 p.m. VOTE:
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
ATTEST:
___________________________________ ______________________________________
Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor