02-20-1996 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 1996 • ( #2 Proposed Zoning Amendment - Continued) Hawn suggested IA be recommended. Smith said the subheadings, a,b,c, could be performance standards set at another time. Schroeder said he was not in favor of la regarding the location. Engebretson questioned a.3) regarding the non -profit organization. Schroeder questioned how broad that statement could be as a practical matter. Hawn said the land lease arrangements could be protected with specific performance standards. Schroeder noted that the performance standards and the land lease arrangements were two separate issues. Engebretson thought the land lease arrangement could be combined with the conditional use permit. Mabusth said this issue goes back to advice from the City Attorney that the use cannot be allowed without amending the ordinance upfront. She continued that the use is not the problem but the ownership and who will operate it. A woman in the audience commented that she understood Orono to stand for open land and suggested an open ice rink. Mabusth said the issue of the arena has been before the City for quite some time and the V.A. made prospective buyers of the neighboring property, such as this homeowner, aware that the land was being considered for an ice arena. Schroeder noted that the City stands for many things, open space, quality of life, education, recreation, etc. • Smith asked this neighbor if some sort of arena would meet her approval, but again voiced � pp g her suggestion for an open ice rink. Vee added that there was other land available than this particular corner and could not see placing a large building on a small parcel of land. Schroeder noted that the proposal was regarding amending the ordinance for an arena as an accessory use to a high school and other issues will be addressed at a later date. • Hawn suggested that the indoor sports facility not be confined only to an ice arena to eliminate such discussions at a later point. Schroeder said he believed such discussions were important. Engebretson asked the Commission to contemplate the ownership of the facilities under the amendment. Schroeder said a later work session could discuss this issue and may result in a future amendment to the proposal under discussion. Smith questioned whether a.3 was required to be in the code. Mabusth asked how else a non -profit organization could be distinguished from a school as it cannot come under the school umbrella. Schroeder said a work session could contain the discussion of how the school views the non -profit land lease arrangements. It was noted that all work sessions are public meetings. Engebretson asked if the land lease agreement could be made as a standard under the school use for a specific project. Schroeder said he would not be in favor of that. 17