07-10-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, June 19, 2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Schoenzeit asked if additional acreage could be added to the property so the building could be lowered and the footprint expanded. Goodrum stated there is another 20 acres that are owned by Mr. Ugorets but that property is not contiguous. Schoenzeit stated the height continues to be a problem. Lemke asked if it would be a deal breaker if the top level is eliminated and the number of units reduced. Goodrum indicated it would be. Olson asked what the cost of a condominium unit would be. Alex Ugorets, Applicant, indicated it would be between $600,000 to $700,000. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. Tim Olson, 2510 Old Beach Road, stated he has been asked to speak on behalf of the Old Beach Road neighborhood and to give voice to over 200 community members in opposition to this project. Olson stated they have had the opportunity to review the proposal for this site and find it to be entirely too large. Olson stated the residents recognize that this would have a negative impact on the established community, would negatively impact the quality of life, affect the natural habitat, unnecessarily impact traffic, and steal away the night sky. Olson stated the residents find that this project is in direct opposition to the Orono Community Management Plan. Although the residents acknowledge a person's right to own and develop a property, they support the community goals and recognize the proper development. They are not opposed to development of the property but strongly oppose this particular project. There are rules and regulations Orono has in place to prevent unnecessary and unreasonable developments. These have been put in place after much thought and discussion. This proposal in its magnitude, if approved, would go forward in opposition of the established community goals, city ordinances, and adversely affect the value of the area. Page 5 of 14