07-24-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 10, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 14. #17-3944 WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ON BEHALF OF UGORETS 8098 LLC, 2520 SHADYWOOD ROAD, REZONING AND MASTER PLAN APPROVAL - Continued Ugorets commented it is virtually unheard of to construct a two-story apartment building in the metropolitan area. Mayor Walsh asked whether anyone from the public would like to comment on this application. Cecelia Cullen, 2700 Pheasant Road, stated she appreciated the responses from the City Council because it gave her the sense that she was being heard. Cullen stated she has found over the years that traffic has really increased in this area and that it is very difficult or impossible to take a left off of Pheasant Road during rush hour. Cullen stated due to the curve in the road, Pheasant Road is not very visible, and there are also bicyclists in the area that motorists have to worry about. Cullen stated she cannot imagine the impact of another 80 cars from this development as well as additional drivers from the redeveloped golf course. Tim Olson, 2510 Old Beach Road, noted he spoke at the June Planning Commission meeting and that his main points are contained in the minutes. Olson noted he has been asked to speak on behalf of a number of the residents and that people acknowledge proper development of this property under the guidelines and restrictions that are in place. Olson noted over 200 residents have signed the online petition against this project. Olson stated through the development of the Orono Comprehensive Plan, the residents have entrusted the City Council to make decisions in accordance with the plan and guidelines. The Comprehensive Plan was developed with considerable community input with the expectation that this plan would be followed to help shape the development of the area going into the future. The management plan contains six elements, with the main elements being land use and environmental protection. Orono residents place the highest priority on open space, preservation of woodlands and wetlands, with emphasis on dark skies and an emphasis on land use that maintains the historic identity of Orono. Olson stated the residents are aware that this area has to be rezoned RPUD to achieve certain housing goals and that there are seven principles required for an RPUD. Olson noted this particular project does not meet most of those and that the design should be compatible with the surrounding land uses. One of the main problems is that the land does not meet the 5 -acre land requirement and that the proposed density at 15.63 units per acre exceeds the maximum allowable density for the project. In addition, the proposed building height exceeds the City's height limitation; fails to meet several setbacks, with the front setback coming as close as 35 feet; and does not provide for open space. Olson stated the design, the size, and the number of units do not in any way fit into this neighborhood and that there is currently no other building remotely this size in Navarre. Olson noted the term flexibility has been used in connection with the RPUD. Olson stated he appreciates flexibility on a project but that flexibility should not meaningfully change the guidelines the City has in place. Olson stated everyone agrees there is no hurry to go through this process and that they all recognize that whatever is developed on this property will become a permanent fixture and will be a part of the Navarre community for decades to come. Olson stated through patient planning and proper development, the City has an opportunity to create a beautiful and vibrant area. Olson stated the residents would ask the City Council to deny the project for the reasons stated and ask that the developer consider a smaller scale building. Page 8 of 14