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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,September 16,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> the quiet, almost rural feel even though the homes are close together on Togo Road. Knollenberg <br /> indicated the green land and the open areas help create that feel. <br /> Knollenberg pointed out on the overhead the nature area that extends from the park down to Shadywood <br /> Road. Knollenberg commented a number of wildlife live in this area and that the development in the <br /> back portion of the site would change the nature of the neighborhood. In addition,there is a wet area on <br /> the property and is approximately 25 feet lower than Northern Avenue. Knollenberg noted that area <br /> floods regularly in the spring and that any driveway in that area will further impact the flooding. <br /> Knollenberg stated as it relates to the current plan,the survey shows three separate parcels and that he is <br /> wondering why there has been a change in the platting. Knollenberg noted Mr. Gaffron had difficulty <br /> fitting in six lots on his own sketches and having them meet all the requirements. <br /> Gaffron stated it becomes a question of whether the City is going to give credit for all of the dry buildable <br /> area,which would support six or seven lots, but noted all of the other standards cannot be met on each <br /> individual lot. Gaffron noted the land has been combined in the past and is acting as one site rather than <br /> three separate parcels. <br /> Knollenberg stated the one house will be located right next to his if the proposed plan is approved. <br /> Jeff Zell, 3680 Northern Avenue, pointed out his property on the overhead. Zell stated every spring and <br /> every time it rains more than two inches,the swamp drains on his property and the woods remain wet for <br /> two or three weeks. Constructing a driveway in that area will only compound the problem. Zell noted he <br /> has hauled in over 140,000 pounds of rock for his driveway and it keeps sinking in. Zell stated the area in <br /> the back would likely be even softer. <br /> Zell stated there is also a substantial amount of wildlife in the area as well as mature trees which would be <br /> nice to preserve but that he is more concerned with the water runoff and the impact that will have on his <br /> property. <br /> Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, pointed out the location of his property and Jeff Zell's property. Kempf <br /> noted there is approximately 66 feet between his property and the subject property. <br /> Kempf stated in his view this is a very special neighborhood and is a very valuable asset to the <br /> neighborhood. A number of different types of wildlife live in this area and it is truly a natural preserve. <br /> Kempf stated the neighbors would hate to see that altered in any way. <br /> Kempf stated the 66 feet that Mr. Zell owns does totally fill up with water and slowly drains every time it <br /> rains. In the spring the land is under water for quite some time. The area from Sunset to Shadywood <br /> drains to this property and needs to be taken into consideration as it relates to the overall drainage of the <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Kempf stated the PRD proposal of having the houses more clustered along the front as compared to the <br /> back makes more sense since it will help preserve the wildlife habitat and the drainage area. Kempf <br /> stated he would encourage the Planning Commission to deny the current proposal. <br /> John Quam, 3760 Northern Avenue, stated he is the property that abuts this property. Quam stated he is <br /> very much opposed to the original proposal and that he has already submitted his concerns in writing to <br /> the City Council and the Planning Commission. <br /> Page 29 of 34 <br />