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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,March 17,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Bessesen stated his environmental people will be conducting a tree survey. <br /> Gaffron noted this is technically not a public hearing so it is not necessary to obtain public comment at <br /> this point. <br /> Leskinen stated the concept appears to fit the area but that there are some challenges that will need to be <br /> overcome. <br /> Bessesen stated he also would be interested in perhaps setting up some work sessions with the City <br /> Council on this concept plan. <br /> Schwingler commented keeping the money in the community is an attractive piece to the concept and that <br /> if there is a way to help improve the Navarre area, it should be explored. <br /> Berg commented it hopefully will encourage other people to reinvest in Navarre. <br /> Gaffron noted these units will be mostly hidden from Navarre but it will provide a new type of housing in <br /> the area. <br /> Bessesen stated this type of housing is needed in Orono and would allow people to stay in the community. <br /> Schwingler commented housing that will encourage people to stay in the area is also a positive. <br /> Landgraver stated in his view the development will be overwhelming to the residents given the massing <br /> and that the applicant may want to consider reducing the number of units down to four rather than five. <br /> Schwingler stated the people who are attracted to this type of development like that closeness and that <br /> they would be aware of the massing before they move into there. <br /> Schoenzeit commented the developer is looking to make an investment in the area and that it is important <br /> that it is not all take by the City and that the developer needs to realize some economic return on his <br /> development. <br /> Gaffron asked if the applicant would like to bring this concept plan to the City Council at the first meeting <br /> in April. <br /> Bessesen indicated he would like to tweak the plan slightly. <br /> The Planning Commission took no formal action on this item. <br /> PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS <br /> 7. REPORT FROM PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES ON CITY <br /> COUNCIL MEETINGS: FEBRUARY 24,2014,AND MARCH 10,2014. <br /> Leskinen noted she attended the February 24, 2014, City Council meeting. All planning items went on <br /> the consent agenda except for the application at 4705 Watertown Road proposing the oversized accessory <br /> structure. A concern was raised about the structure being located too close to the road and was tabled to <br /> Page 24 of 26 <br />