Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, February 20, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Paddock stated in his opinion this is an opportune time to ask for a public roadway to run from County Road 15 all the way down to Bracketts Point ending in the existing cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac currently serves three properties. Paddock stated he would urge the City in fairness to all property owners to extend the public roadway from County Road 15 all the way down to the end so it serves everybody equally. As long as the relocated roadway is built to city standards, those same standards should be extended to the three lots that the private road serves. Paddock stated his second concern relates to Lots 4 and 5. Paddock stated he believes Lot 4 contains the original Pillsbury mansion, which is at least 30,000 square feet. That house will now be placed on a property a little over three acres. Paddock stated in his opinion this is a very large structure and it needs a larger parcel to add value to that home as well as Bracketts Point. Paddock suggested the buyer of Lot 4 also be required to purchase Lot 5, especially if they plan on retaining that structure because the tennis court and swimming court could then be saved, which would make it 5-plus acres. If the buyer of Lot 4 elects to raze the home and build a new home, then separation of the two properties would be acceptable. Paddock stated overall it is a good project and will enhance Bracketts Point. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Landgraver asked what the City's view is on extending the public road to the end of the point. Barnhart stated it is his belief the Council feels the whole road should be private versus public. Barnhart noted generally subdivisions are served by private roads. Thiesse asked if the right-of-way would change quite a bit if the road were made public. Barnhart indicated he does not have any information on that tonight but that it is likely there is no right-of-way currently on the private section. Rief stated the City would need to determine what that right-of-way is and that Staff is not prepared to answer that tonight. Barnhart stated the Planning Commission should react to the request in front of them, and if they feel differently about the proposal, they should incorporate that into their recommendation. Thiesse commented they are both very good comments but that he is not sure the Planning Commission has control over that. Landgraver asked what the structural coverage is for the house. Barnhart stated based on the information he has tonight, it is 6.9 percent. Landgraver stated according to City Code, it is a reasonably sized structure on a big lot. Barnhart noted Lot 4 is the biggest lot in the subdivision. Landgraver commented in theory someone could purchase the adjacent lot. Page 3 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, February 20, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Leskinen stated she understands the comment about keeping Lots 4 and 5 together but that the City has no way to compel the developer to do that since the lots meet the City's subdivision standards as far as minimum lot size and setbacks. Schoenzeit commented it appears the applicant has their is crossed and is dotted. Thiesse stated he has heard from Staff that the Council is leaning more towards a private road. George Stickney, 340 Peavey Road, indicated he was involved with the parties that are here tonight with a subdivision in 2007. The roadway has a 30-foot right-of-way and it is a nice beautiful roadway that is built to city standards as well as curb and gutter to the new cul-de-sac site. There is also a 90-foot right- of-way to the end of the road with a center island so the snow plows can get in there. Stickney stated the current public roadway along the lakeshore is not as wide and nice as what is being proposed. Stickney stated there is an opportunity tonight to extend the public road for those people who want to see Bracketts Point. The proposed road will be straighter and will not zig-zag. Stickney indicated the roadway will make it easier for fire trucks to access and will not increase the outlot size. In addition, the road is in awesome shape. Thiesse noted this is the first time the Planning Commission has heard any concerns about the road remaining private. Thiesse stated in his view it is a good plan and that he likes the recommendation to stagger the trees more. Thiesse stated he would also like the City Engineer to look at the road prior to it going to the City Council to see whether it is a viable option. Barnhart stated the City can always respond to requests to convert a private road to a public road and that it does not need to be part of an application. Generally the City will look for the road to be built to city standards and has been properly maintained. Thiesse stated he would like the road to be looked at to ensure the road is in great shape. Landgraver commented it is an interesting proposition and that there does not appear to be anything precluding that at this time. Landgraver stated those three people could petition the City to make it a public road if they so choose. Barnhart stated they can petition for that at any time and that it does not need to be part of this application. Thiesse stated he has no intention of holding the application back but that he would suggest the City Engineer look into it. Landgraver stated if the City Council elects to make it a private road, then it becomes a moot point, but that overall it is getting the road away from the Lakeshore and relocating the utilities into a more easily maintained and serviced area. Landgraver stated Lot 4 may not be the perfect size for the existing residence but in his view it is a good faith effort to develop the site. Landgraver stated he is in support of the application. Page 4 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMIISSIION MEETING Tuesday, ]February 20, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. ILeskinen moved, ILandgraver seconded, to recommend approval off App➢ication No. 18-3998, .Dames and Mary Jundt, 1400 Bracketts (Point Road, vacation of the roadway and the sanitary sewer easement, subject to the conditions outlined in Staffff s ][deport. VOTE: Ayes 5, bays ®. ILeskinen moved, Olson seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. 18-3998, .Dames and Mary Juundt, 11400 Bracketts (Point Road, preliminary plat, subject to the conditions outlined in Stafi's Report. VOTE: Ayes 5, Days ®. ILAI S-000001 AILILEN MERRI[ILIL, VACATEON OF RIGHT-OF-WAY H[T-OIF-WAY (GRAND VIEW A NUE) BETWEEN 1161 AND 1153 ELMWOOIID AVENUE, 7:00 P.M. — 7:39 P.M. Allen N 6gill, Applicant, was present. Oakden state a applicant is requesting to vacate an unimproved platted right-of-way th4t s directly abutting his prop to the north of his rear lot. The property has one PID number. The right-of-way was originally a pr uct of a plat from 1887. The applicant is requesting vacation of the right-of-way east from the intersection ith Elmwood. There is currently a lift sta 'on located in the Elmwood right-of-way just south,df this unimproved right- of-way. The Public Works artment is planning to place a generator in -te area to support power to the lift station. There is currently s itary sewer that runs through the right-� way and some blacktop improvements over part of the are which functions as a turnaround aria for vehicles and helps with space for snow removal. The west end of the right-of-way functio as a turnaround for a road since a cul-de-sac is not present. While there may be some benefit to the pu` 'c in the future adjust the right-of-way through a land swap to accommodate the improvements, including a pavem t outside of the right-of-way, that proposal has not been presented or proposed. State Statute states no vacation shall be made u'ss i ppears to be in the interest of the public to do so. The Council may vacate any publicl/a, ility ease ent or boulevard reserve which is not being used for sewer, drainage, electric, ted telephone, asand steam purposesor for boulevard reserve purposes. The right-of-way is in use for a 'sting utilities and there are proposed future utilities planned for this space in the. Staff believes approving this It would also conflict with 1V) interest of the public. / One comment from would conflict with City Code a recommend denial of the request. t State Statute which states a vacatibq should be done if it is in the has been received and is in support of the The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. K/eback g, 1161 Elmwood Avenue, stated she is speaking here tonight on behalf of Mr. errill and tunderstanding the neighbor does support the vacation of the right -of --way. With and to the ser, Winning noted there are no manholes in the actual right-of-way. One of them oles is oot owned by Mr. Merrill and theother manhole is on the lot owned by Mr. Hanna. Page 5 of 12