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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 15,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Thiesse asked if the trail would be on the east side. <br /> Gaffron indicated there is the potential to bring a trail down from the intersection of Old Crystal Bay <br /> Road and up around the pond at the east end of the pond. Gaffron stated the location of the trail is up for <br /> discussion and that there will be a parallel sidewalk with a trail in one section. <br /> Thiesse stated in his view a trail is important but that 10 feet might not be enough given the topography. <br /> Gaffron indicated that is correct and that some tweaking of the site plan will be necessary. <br /> Schoenzeit stated a site inventory will probably not be necessary if it is nothing but scrub trees and <br /> bushes. <br /> Leskinen asked if the trail can come down on the west side of the pond. Leskinen noted there is a <br /> sidewalk currently in front of this parcel. <br /> Gaffron stated there is no reason it couldn't and that it becomes a matter of where the pedestrian traffic <br /> should be directed to. Gaffron stated it probably makes more sense to come around the pond. <br /> Thiesse stated the trail becomes less important once the highway is constructed and that he would be <br /> more concerned about maintaining the sidewalks along Kelley than constructing a trail. <br /> Schwingler commented the sidewalk does get used. <br /> Thiesse asked if a sidewalk would be required on the north side. <br /> Gaffron indicated that sidewalk already exists. <br /> Gaffron stated Staff will likely take the application before the City Council at their September 12 meeting <br /> and that there is no need for the Planning Commission to take any formal action. <br /> Thiesse stated he heard the neighborhood likes the proposal and that the developer should make sure to <br /> add the sidewalk, enough parking, landscaping, and meet the 50-foot setback from the highway. Thiesse <br /> stated he would like the developer to have an answer for the Council as to how the easterly edge of the <br /> property will be handled as it slopes to the pond. <br /> Schoenzeit stated when he hears about disputes between developers and residents, he believes it is an <br /> opportunity for the City to act as a catalyst to get them resolved. Schoenzeit stated developing in Orono <br /> is a privilege and the developer should have a good reputation. Schoenzeit stated it would be nice to hear <br /> both sides of the issue and see if something can be resolved. Schoenzeit suggested the homeowners <br /> association make a punch list that they include in their purchase agreement and then hold back a <br /> contingency fee so the projects get done. <br /> Thiesse asked about the hardcover. <br /> Gaffron stated the reduction from 53 percent to 50 percent is a fairly minor tweak. <br /> Thiesse stated he would prefer they not remove the pavilion in order to meet the hardcover. <br /> Page 20 of 21 <br />