09-25-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 11, 207 7:00 o'clock p.m. 18. NAVARRE AREA PLAN — INITIAL CITY MEETING — Continued Seals stated she likes the concept of residential on top. Barnhart stated Staff would like to use this plan in forming the Comprehensive Plan Update and that he would recommend they look at general commercial and general multi -family as is it realistic. Barnhart stated some of the businesses are more driven by population or density and would not be realistic for this area. Barnhart stated there are probably more possibilities for multi -family and general commercial. Walsh stated he would default to that. Rief stated he would agree based on his experience. Rief stated the hardest issue with redevelopment is the cost and density also plays a factor in redevelopment. Seals asked if the City is potentially looking at acquiring some vacant parcels that are adjacent to the lake. Dankey commented the parcel behind Navarre Electric is an awkward access to the lake. Printup noted the area behind the bowling alley is a holding pond. Seals stated there appear to be a couple of areas where access might be possible. Barnhart stated he heard the City Council likes the idea but that they are not sure how to achieve that at this time and that WSB will look at that. Mezio stated they are looking for whether this is an idea that captures the Council's attention and whether it could be a possible income generator for the City. Mezio stated if it is something the City is interested in, they will look into it. Printup stated he would say no then since there is access in Spring Park which is close by. Barnhart stated he was not envisioning boat access but perhaps more of a visual connection. Barnhart stated in his view it is worth exploring. Walsh commented the residents would be better able to answer that. Schwaber stated if some of these properties are redeveloped, it could potentially become more of a place like Lord Fletcher's and that there are a number of ways the community could interact with the lake. Schwaber stated they would like to document those as well as get the feedback from the community. Schwaber stated as it relates to the market study, they will gather some general information on commercial and multi -family units but that it will not be broken down into type. Schwaber stated the study will also provide some idea of what the market will support as well as a timeline. Schwaber stated the small area plan would be a failure if there was not resident input. Schwaber stated in looking at some of the previous plan efforts, he does not feel there were good implementation plans, and that he would like to hear from the City Council about any drop -dead issues they would like to see addressed. Page 15 of 17