10/20/2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 20,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. ecosystem,there are a few species of trees that are inconsistent with that, such as red cedars,junipers, Colorado spruces,cottonwoods and ash/box elders. Those trees will be thinned to promote healthy growth of young oaks,maples and basswoods. Hiller stated they would like some flexibility with further tree removal in light of the fact that they are creating this new ecosystem. The current landscape plan shows the addition of 359 trees along the boulevards per City Code,which is one every 40 feet.Hiller stated he is not sure whether the City would like that in light of the prairie restoration and that they are seeking complete relief of that tree requirement in light of the extensive site restoration and other costs being incurred. Hiller noted the vast majority of trees on the site will be maintained even with the possible removal of other trees in connection with the prairie restoration or building sites. Schoenzeit noted one of the requests that is still open is whether the site is able to handle all of the water and not pass it on to the adjoining property owners. Schoenzeit asked if that has been addressed. Hiller stated there are basically four culverts where the water currently exits the site. Hiller pointed out on the overhead the location of the culverts. Hiller stated three of the four currently flow out and one flows in. The concern raised by one of the neighbors related to one of the culverts. Hiller indicated they will be re-grading that area and the water will be kept on site and diverted to another drainage area. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Donna Hager, 4580 West Branch Road, stated she lives on the south side of the golf course and that she really likes the idea of having nature around her. Hager stated she has a number of trees on her property and that this area has been cited as a critical corridor for wildlife. Hager indicated she has a problem with the development because she will be able to look out her back window and see all of these posts that say septic in the conservation areas. Hager commented that seems like an oxymoron since there is this area for nature but yet it has a septic system. Hager noted a few years ago the golf course decided to raise the green located behind her house,as well as the tee-off area, and tons of dirt were brought in,which pushed the green and tee-off area closer to her house. Hager indicated that work resulted in water runoff toward her house and toward the neighbor's house and essentially created a wetland even though her home was built into a hill. Hager indicated there is also a deep ditch that runs down between her neighbor's property and her property. Currently the neighbor's yard is filled with water every spring down by the road and that there are definitely water problems at the present time. Hager stated she does not know a lot about septic systems but that she does know mound systems will raise the grade of the land,which will likely cause additional runoff onto her property. Hager noted her basement was flooded this spring, which has never occurred to that degree before. Hager stated she is attempting to envision what it will be like when the mound systems are installed. Hager stated the mound systems will also impede her view of the golf course,which was already impeded when the green was raised. Hager stated she does not want contaminated water or additional runoff onto her property since it affects the value of her property and her life. Mike Schulte, 4640 West Branch Road, stated he also has some concerns regarding the water runoff and that he is one of Donna Hager's neighbors. Schulte stated at the present time the locations of all the drain tile is unknown and that Bolton and Menk has provided Exhibits B and C, which raise a lot of questions Page 10 of 28