Re: request for council action-MUSA

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: June 11, 2012 ITEM NO: I Department Approval: Administrator Reviewed: Agenda Section: Name Jesse Struve Public Works Director/ Title Public Works Director City Engineer's Report Item Description: MUSA Addition Request—20 Orono Orchard Rd List of Exhibits A. Map of MUSA by 20 & 30 Orono Orchard Rd B. Correspondence with Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) On February 16, 2012, a resident at 20 Orono Orchard Rd made a formal request to connect the properties addressed 20 & 30 Orono Orchard Road to the City sanitary sewer system. Later conversations with Mr. Murphy have subsequently changed the request to only serve 20 Orono Orchard Road. This property does meet the following MCES exceptions so the property will not be counted against Orono's density calculations: • The property was developed prior to 1985. • There is a failing septic system. • There are no alternative septic locations on the site. Staff has contacted MCES staff and has been informed this property can be added to the MUSA through a minor plan amendment to Orono's 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan. As part of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment process, MCES procedures require a 60-day comment period by adjacent jurisdictions (within 1/4 mile). MCES will waive this comment period for a minor plan amendment for properties which are not contiguous to other jurisdictions. The City can also waive the 60 day comment procedure if the amendment meets the following: • Less than 40 acres. • Doesn't change growth forecasts. • Is more than 1/4 mile from an adjacent city or is outside of the City's notification policy. The furthest notification policy the City has is for a Conditional Use Permit where the City is required to notify all properties within 350'. There is enough evidence the property is outside of the 350' to not require notification to Long Lake and the 60 day comment period can be waived. If the Council approves the request to add this property to the MUSA, all construction costs associated with installing the pipe will be the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner has requested this cost be special assessed against the property.