02-20-1996 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 1996 • ( #1 - #2017 John O'Sullivan - Continued) O'Sullivan reported on the benefits of the project, which he said would create 50 new jobs with the opening of a moderate -priced restaurant, a higher speed and quality car wash, and an automated gas store, which O'Sullivan said would relieve the congestion at his present site as well as crossover traffic. O'Sullivan said Cook said the project would make the intersection safer with right turn lanes and a signal monitored left turn lane. O'Sullivan said the public surveyed in his present store expressed positive feedback. B.J. Larson, a Lafayette area neighbor, asked if Navarre Lane would be open for traffic. She was informed that the road would remain closed. Jim Coen added that the site would be filled or elevated along the north side, and there would be no access to the rear. John Ericson, 1620 Shadywood, whose property is north of the church, asked if fill would be brought in to the east when vacating Navarre Lane and whether retaining walls would be built. Coen said it would be built to the same level as the property on Martin's resulting in a 2 -3' elevation change at Navarre Lane. Coen also noted that a retention pond would be erected in the back area of the church property. Mabusth noted that Navarre Lane would not be vacated all the way back to Olive Street. Mabusth asked that the applicant meet with the Engineer to determine the boundaries of the vacation. • Rick of Rick's Super Valu asked if the restaurant would be a sit down type. O'Sullivan said the restaurant would be a step up from a McDonald's, but not quite a Perkin's. It would seat 99 and have a pick up window. Menus were provided for the Commission to review. The food will be made on the premises, prepared to order, and moderately priced. Rick said he would like to see the traffic count increase in the area. O'Sullivan said the convenience store would be simplified from his present one, not as upscale, as it would not have a deli or espresso. O'Sullivan said Culver's has one restaurant in Buffalo, MN, one in Iowa and Illinois and 38 in Wisconsin. Rick asked about the hours of the gas station. O'Sullivan said the open times would be 10 am -10 pm for the restaurant with the gas opening at 6 am and closing around the same time as the restaurant. Smith asked if the restaurant concept included the gas or if the two could be separated and still be viable. O'Sullivan said one without the other would not be viable with the demographics and costs involved. Schroeder asked if Culver's was generally developed with both gas and a restaurant. Coen said it was generally free standing, though Culver's is planning several similar to this project. He noted that the general public is supportive of the idea. Smith asked if the car wash as a concept goes with the other two uses and was told it did. O'Sullivan said he would be a franchisee, owning and operating the restaurant. 0