09/15/2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. Alger stated the neighbors have made investments in this area and that one of their reasonable expectations when they made these investments is that the property across the road would be developed following its zoning and guidance under the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission is being asked tonight to change both of those despite the expectations of the neighbors. Alger noted one of the zoning requests is not properly before the Planning Commission since it is different than what went out in the notice and the neighbors have not had an opportunity to discuss what this development means for their neighborhood. Alger stated the details of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and what it would mean for development of this property needs further review. In addition, the possibility of access off of Shadywood Road needs to be fully vetted as well as taking a closer look at the conservation and flowage easement and how that easement will play into how this property would be developed. Alger stated what is being requested here is attached single-family homes rather than detached homes and that it will be a higher density than what was guided for in the Comprehensive Plan. Alger stated there will be more cars,more use of the roads,the development will have a negative impact on the value of the neighboring properties and interferes with their reasonable expectations for what will occur as a result of the development. Alger requested the Planning Commission either deny the application or table it to allow the neighbors time to thoroughly review the proposal. Bob Ponzetti, 2545 Kelly Avenue, stated he is in agreement with the comments of Judy Fredrickson. Ponzetti indicated the notice provided to the neighborhood simply listed a rezoning request and that nobody was told that this specific Kelly Avenue project was going to be discussed and that they had no idea that this was going on. Ponzetti stated it seems like a basic piece of information to provide what exactly is being requested if the City is going to ask for comments. Ponzetti provided a picture of Kelly Avenue under water this spring. Ponzetti stated the water was three to four feet deep and that the flooding happens almost every spring. Ponzetti indicated 20 years ago it was even worse and at that time the City talked about installing pumping stations. The City ended up raising the road a couple of feet,which alleviated the problems for several years,but that the road is Page 20 of 59