01-06-2014 Council Packet Special Meeting

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Item #01- Special Council Meeting - 01106114 File #13-3638 & 13-3639 [Total Pages 99] MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, November 12, 2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. #13-3638 and 13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL, LLC (PAT HILLER) O/B/O GRANT WENKSTERN (LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTHARM DRIVE, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTAND SKETCHPL,4NREVIEW, Continued) Citizens for Lakeview Preservation include residents from all walks of life, all of whom have chosen to invest in Orono. They have a vast magnitude of skill sets that are committed to the spirit, intent, and defense of the Community Management Plan. The group respects the fact that the owner of Lakeview has the right to sell his property, they admire what he has done with the property over the years, and they recognize there is a purchaser who has presented sketches and is requesting an amendment to change the guidance. The group intends to provide fact -based timely input to the Council, seeks to protect the unique and fragile environment of Lakeview, and it is driven by an intense desire shared by virtually everyone in Orono and surrounding communities to retain this iconic and historic property as green; as possible and accessible as possible to the public. Johnson commented Lakeview is just not another golf course. Johnson stated their proposal can be summarized in one slide: A request that the Council uphold the Community Management Plan guidance, that it do this for at least 60 days following the expiration of the initial 60 -day period on November 25, and that it do this so that efforts can go forward to define one or more clear-cut, economically viable alternatives that would allow the owner to sell his property without the need to re -guide the site. Johnson indicated there has already been considerable thought and input into this concept but more needs to be done. Johnson stated there are a number of state or governmental entities that can be approached to help. Johnson stated aspects of their proposal have already begun and that they have received early indications of financial support. In paraIIel fashion, the group believes that the environmental and related analysis and the decision to re -guide must be fully defined. The group believes this is essential before a credible site plan or plat map can be proposed. The environmental values evident in the Orono Community Management Plan are well defined and extensive. Johnson noted over 400 citizens have expressed their concern for these issues through a petition. Johnson stated other analyses and inputs are also Iikely in defining buildability and that those should be important to any developer before asking for a guidance change. The citizens of Orono are confident that the City will address the environmental and buildability concerns, which is why many of the residents moved to this area. The citizens also recognize that this will take time to do and that a 60 -day delay will be needed. Similarly, the group is optimistic that realistic, economically viable alternatives can be defined. The group also understands that much of this initiative must come from the citizens and that the residents need time prior to the zoning being changed to look at other options. (Recess taken from 8:57 p.m. to 9:08 p.m.) (Cynthia Bremer and Jessica Loftus leave the meeting at 9:08 p.m.) Tom Mazer, 560 North Arm Drive, stated he has lived in this area for approximately 40 years and that he appreciates the opportunity to address an issue that is of grave concern to many citizens in Orono. Mazer stated this proposal has the potential for a failed development and that it is something that should be considered when talking about developments like this. Page 18 of 36