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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 19 2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Gaffron stated the neighborhood reaction to the removal of a large number of trees in the past for the <br /> senior living housing was rather loud and the question becomes how well the development can be <br /> screened. <br /> Landgraver asked if it would be easier to screen an office building versus a number of residential units. <br /> Gaffron stated that would depend on the layout of the units. <br /> McGrann asked if there would be views of the lake on top of the hill. <br /> Wasmoen stated it is difficult to tell at this point given the large number of trees and that the existing <br /> residential properties already have a fairly good buffer. Wasmoen indicated going forward they would <br /> look at that but the initial feeling is that there will only be a walkway down the hill and to the beach and <br /> back. Wasmoen stated they will not be constructing a four-story building on top of the hill. <br /> McGrann stated in his view this is a good use of the property and that the concerns of the neighbors will <br /> definitely need to be kept in mind. <br /> Schwingler stated he agrees with Commissioner McGrann that this may be a better use for the property <br /> but that impacts on traffic will need to be taken into consideration as well as the number of units. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the City has a poor track record on commercial development and that it will likely not <br /> happen anytime in the near future. Schoenzeit stated the proposed residential townhome development <br /> appears to be a good use of the property but the number of units being proposed seems high. Schoenzeit <br /> commented this development may be difficult to sell to the neighborhood and that screening of the units <br /> as well as terracing will need to be given some serious consideration. <br /> Wasmoen commented this site has been underused for a number of years and that anything that is <br /> proposed for this site will likely run into those types of roadblocks with the neighbors. Wasmoen stated <br /> in his opinion this solution is a softer sell versus a commercial development and that there is an <br /> opportunity for it to be a win/win solution to the general area as well as bring more value to the property. <br /> Schoenzeit stated they may also have to look beyond the immediate area to help sell the project and that <br /> the positive impacts on the Navarre business district should be considered as well. <br /> Thiesse noted a considerable amount of thought has been given to the zoning districts included in the <br /> City's Comprehensive Plan and that it will likely not be changed quickly. Thiesse stated the input of the <br /> neighbors will weigh heavily into his decision. <br /> Lemke stated this is a good location for the development but that it will be difficult to sell to the <br /> neighbors. <br /> Landgraver stated a good communications plan with the nearby residents is essential. Landgraver stated <br /> given the fact that this area has been zoned commercial for the past 40 years and nothing has been built <br /> there, at times the market speaks to the City and says that perhaps something else should be considered. <br /> John Bessesen, 4500 North Shore Drive, stated he has lived in this area for 37 years and that he has <br /> looked at this site for a long time. Bessesen noted the property near the intersection would be a piece of <br /> Page 26 of 28 <br />