05/20/2013 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,May 20,2013 6:30 o'clock p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS 7. REPORT FROM PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES ON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS APRIL 22,2013,AND MAY 13,2013 Schoenzeit stated he attended the April 22 City Council meeting where there was a presentation on a proposed Eagle Scout project. Schoenzeit commented the project looks interesting and is an aggressive project, but at the same time the City Council did a good job of encouraging and requiring protection of the existing memorials. The other item that was discussed was the Eskuche application that was denied by the Planning Commission. The City Council ended up approving the application based on the input by the neighbors. Curtis stated from the perspective of the neighbors, she has been changing the way she discusses setbacks, but she would not rely too much on a neighbor not commenting. Schoenzeit stated the fact that the neighbors were supportive of the project had an influence on the application getting approved. Thiesse stated if the City does not hear from the neighbors, he assumes they are not opposed to the project. Schoenzeit stated the City Council also discussed the 2013 budget numbers. Gaffron stated at the May 13, 2013, City Council meeting,the Bowman application was approved on consent and the after-the-fact application on Creek Ridge Pass was approved. There was a significant amount of discussion at the Council level about the process followed by Staff and the impacts it would have on future applications. In the end the City Council approved after-the-fact variance as well as the request to waive the application fees because they concluded the situation was not created by the applicant. Staff concluded they would handle it differently in the future and make the City Council aware of a situation like that sooner rather than later. The Kallas average setback variance received approval. The City Council also had a lengthy discussion on accessory uses and structures. The City Council provided some good direction and Staff expects to bring it back to them at next Monday's meeting. Gaffron indicated revisions have been sent off to the City Attorney today and he is hopeful he will be able to put together a final draft for the City Council. Once the ordinance is approved, it will allow the City to get rid of the moratorium on accessory structures. The City Council was also provided with an update on Navarre and the bid was awarded for the Willow Drive street reconstruction project. There was also a discussion involving the proposed 2014 LMCD budget. 8. OTHER ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION Curtis stated Jon Schwingler requested that Staff provide reminders on who the council representative is for the upcoming City Council meetings. Page 24 of 25