HomeMy WebLinkAboutre: sewer extension and connection status To: Building /Zoning/ Planning Staff
Scott Oberaigner, Public Works Department
Permits Staff
City Engineer
City Attorney
Street Address File: 3125 Fox Street
1135 Spring Hill Road
From: Mike Gaffron, Asst. City Admin. - Long Term Strategy
Date: October 30, 2008
Subject: Sewer Extension & Connection Status
The City Council has previously approved sewer extension projects and sewer
connections for the two above referenced properties. In July 2008 the Met Council
recommended denial of the required MPCA permit for the extension to serve 3125 Fox
Street. The basis for the denial was that such an extension subjects the property to
inclusion in Orono's "residential development density calculation" which must result in
the calculation yielding an overall development density since year 2000 of 3.0 units per
acre or more. Inclusion of these or other properties in that calculation is likely to place us
out of compliance with the 3.0 units per acre requirement.
The City disagrees with this rationale and disagrees that this property and those similarly
situated in the MUSA since 1998-2000 should be included in the calculation when no
Com Plan Amendment is involved. However, until this issue is resolved between the
City and Met Council, these two properties, and others like them, cannot move forward
with sewer connection plans. Further, any proposed subdivision of property that will
require extension of sewer to serve new additional lots and hence requiring an MPCA
permit, regardless of zoning district, will likely be denied by MPCA.
The City is aggressively pursuing a resolution of this issue with Met Council, as it
impacts all new sewered development and sewer connections in the existing MUSA
where an extension of sewer to a property is proposed. Until this is resolved, please
contact me for an update on the situation any time you are faced with a proposal that
requires sewer extension.