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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 /> Leskinen stated the Planning Commission should consider whether rezoning is appropriate and not get <br /> caught up in the little details of the other issues. <br /> Landgraver stated the Planning Commission is also being asked to consider a transitional zoning area for <br /> the residential properties. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the transitional zoning area would afford additional opportunities for the land and that <br /> any future action should incorporate the details such that the zoning or other adjustments to the <br /> Comprehensive Plan go hand-in-hand with all the expected improvements. Schoenzeit stated he would <br /> recommend that the end game be identified as part of this process. <br /> Lemke asked if this can be handled through a conditional use permit and not rezoning. <br /> Gaffron stated technically it cannot be since there are specific things that are allowed on the residential <br /> properties and specific things on the commercial properties. Gaffron stated he does not feel it is possible <br /> to create a conditional use permit for these properties and that the Planning Commission is looking at a <br /> rezoning. <br /> Schwingler stated if you look at the history of the property,the site is always evolving. Schwingler stated <br /> there are consequences to what happens and that those details are critical to a rezoning decision. <br /> Schwingler stated the Planning Commission should look at all the components that need to be corrected <br /> with the properties and that there are some advantages to the rezoning but that there are also unintended <br /> consequences. <br /> Lemke stated he has a concern with the buffer on the north end and pointed out that if six parking stalls <br /> were removed, an additional 20 feet could be gained resulting in a 30-foot setback, which would help <br /> protect the residential area. <br /> Thiesse stated it is in the applicant's best interests to have the properties rezoned but that the neighbor to <br /> the north purchased residential property next to residential property, which is important. Thiesse stated <br /> the plan is good start and that he commends the owners for working with the City over the past four years <br /> but that there is a lot of work left to be done. <br /> Leskinen concurred that it is just the beginning of the work, and asked whether the Planning Commission <br /> should discuss all aspects of the rezoning request and whether the one residential property should be a <br /> transitional property. Leskinen stated in her opinion it is in the best interests to rezone the properties and <br /> that she likes the idea of a sub-district but that she would like to make sure the City looks at every part of <br /> this. <br /> Leskinen asked if it is practical to leave one property as residential and possibly have a blighted, <br /> unoccupied property. <br /> Gaffron stated he is in agreement that there is not enough buffer from the parking lot to the residential <br /> property to the north. Gaffron stated whether it makes sense to just rezone 1442 and not 1444 is another <br /> question. Gaffron noted there are parking agreements that would need to be redone and that he would <br /> rather see both parcels zoned commercial of some sort. Gaffron stated it may make sense to create a sub- <br /> district in order to place limitations on those properties. <br /> Page 21 of 31 <br />