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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />HELD ON JANUARY 18, 1994 <br />• <br />Commissioner Peterson expressed concern about whether adequate water retention was being <br />provided on the site and whether the ponds were for aesthetic purposes only. Mr. Gronberg <br />responded that they were trying to accomplish both; to enhance the existing wetland and <br />provide adequate water storage. Discussion ensued regarding the existing drainage problems <br />in the area and whether adequate measures were being taken to prevent exacerbating those <br />problems. Mabusth noted the concern of the Engineer in regard to impact on downstream <br />drainage areas. <br />Eugene Hite stated that they had held a neighborhood meeting which had been well attended <br />by the residents of Countryside, and they had noted several instances where existing water <br />problems in their neighborhood had required mitigating measures to be taken by the <br />homeowners. He explained that there appears to be a natural stream in this area which <br />causes water problems presently, and they are very concerned about what the development to <br />the north will do to increase the runoff onto their properties. He stated that there are <br />presently two houses in their development which have had standing water in their back yards <br />most of the past summer. He stated that the developer has agreed to utilize some type of <br />drain tile on the surface and possibly some type of French drain to help them resolve their <br />water problems. He noted they had talked to ten of the eleven property owners in the <br />development. He noted that there is a lot of runoff on the east side of Countryside which <br />has required mitigation by the homeowners and there are some ditches that have eroded <br />between the lots on the south side. They requested that the City take steps to ensure that the <br />• drainage problems do not worsen in these areas. <br />Discussion ensued regarding the drainage flow on the site and the means by which some of <br />the water is stored and released later on. Phil Miller, 2435 Countryside Drive, stated that he <br />had added rip rap along the side of his property and noted that the drainage along this area of <br />his property causes problems. <br />Mr. Gronberg reviewed the road location on the Coffin property and explained why the <br />design included outlots to provide access to two back lots at the west boundary. He noted <br />they chose to plat the subdivision in this way in order to preserve the existing trees and <br />wetlands. Discussion ensued regarding possible alternative locations for the roadway. <br />Commissioner Nolan felt that lowering the cul -de -sac and moving it slightly to the south <br />could eliminate a setback variance. He also felt that access should be provided for Lot 7 <br />from the north. He discussed the drainage from the development to the south of the Luce <br />Line Trail and noted that there are several instances where after heavy rain storms yards are <br />full of standing water, which can take up to a week to disperse. He was concerned about the <br />amount of runoff that would come from the proposed development going through this area, <br />and exacerbating existing drainage problems in this area. Mr. Gronberg reviewed the <br />drainage patterns south of the development for the Commission. Commissioner Nolan <br />requested that the City Engineer be requested to look at this area south of the development <br />and the drainage calculations, as he was concerned that there may be a greater volume of <br />water flowing to the south overall, even through it would be moving more slowly due to the <br />• retention measures proposed by the developer. <br />PA <br />