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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 19,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Johnson stated when he was approached by the applicant with the plan, his immediate response was that it <br /> will be ten feet from the property line,which is the code minimum, and is not showing consideration for <br /> the neighbor. Johnson stated there is some potential to put some screening in but that it is not included in <br /> the applicant's plan. <br /> Johnson stated he can appreciate the fact the City would like to come up with a long-term solution and <br /> that he would suggest that one of the lots serve as a buffer. Johnson stated he is willing to have that <br /> discussion even if it not in his best interests. Johnson noted the applicant said no to his suggestion since it <br /> would not give him his expanded parking. <br /> Johnson stated there is a history of this site having numerous issues and there is also a history of people <br /> from the City saying that they will not allow expansion of the site and that it should remain residential. <br /> Johnson stated if this property is included in the commercial district without stringent controls, it will be <br /> necessary for him to be before the City Council all the time. Johnson stated the proposal is not close to <br /> meeting the requirements for approval and that the applicant should resolve the outstanding issues before <br /> this application proceeds forward to the City Council. Johnson indicated he is attempting to protect the <br /> value of his home and that any changes to the site should be done at a world-class level. Johnson <br /> reiterated that he does not believe the City is anywhere close to being in a position to approve the <br /> application. <br /> Schoenzeit asked when he purchased his house. <br /> Johnson indicated in 2012. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if the docks on Tanager Bay were there when he purchased the property. <br /> Johnson stated they were. Johnson stated the applicant is talking about moving the docks closer to his <br /> house and that all the boats going to those docks will come right by his house into the slips. Johnson <br /> stated the closer the docks are to his house,the more it will directly impact him. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if there are more than two docks in that area currently. <br /> Johnson indicated there are two. <br /> Gaffron displayed an aerial photograph of the area. <br /> Schoenzeit noted there is another dock that belongs to another marina. <br /> Johnson stated his line of sight is not that impacted at the present time but that the relocation of the docks <br /> will directly impact their line of sight, not to mention the increase in the number of boats and vehicles. <br /> Michael Gelish, EOF Investments, indicated they are interested in making the property the best for <br /> everyone involved. Gelish stated he can identify with what Mr. Johnson said but that he did purchase a <br /> home next to a commercial marina that was in operation. Gelish indicated he would love to work with <br /> Mr. Johnson to figure out a way to make it work for everybody but that Mr. Johnson will not work with <br /> them and that he is basically against doing anything with the site. <br /> Gelish stated the other thing that is important to note is the City has a vested interest in getting the <br /> property cleaned up since part of it is zoned residential and part is zoned commercial along with <br /> Page 17 of 31 <br />