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• <br />MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MEETING HELD ON JULY 15, 1996 <br />( 99 - #2154 John O'Sullivan/Erwin Smith - Continued) <br />Schroeder asked the Council members present if there was any long term plan for Navarre. <br />Goetten responded that the original thoughts of planning were dropped after no interest <br />was shown. It is her hope that O'Sullivan's other project would encourage other business <br />owners to take part in revitalizing the area. Schroeder reiterated that there was no grand <br />plan envisioning a movement to develope a systematic plan for the area. Kelley said the <br />area will probably not compete with neighboring city areas and saw a need to view it <br />differently. Goetten acknowledged that the City has never done any TIF programs. <br />Kelley agreed that unless the business owners have an vested interest, any improvements <br />would be for naught. Berg added that there were alot of absentee ownership properties <br />within Navarre. Goetten said it was her hope if the new project was successful that it <br />would energize the area. <br />Gaffron said plans considered but not adopted in the 1988 review included parking to be <br />located in front of the buildings with some multi- family and institutional facilities as well as <br />single and duplexes to the west. Peterson suggested a sub - committee review the area but <br />would not apply to this particular application. He saw the proposed commercial <br />development as an excellent choice over multiple housing options. He asked other <br />Commission members if the plan was appropriate for the site. <br />• Erwin Smith noted difficulty in gaining upgrades in the buildings in the area. O'Sullivan <br />added that with the new restaurant and other buildings, there will be improvements made <br />elsewhere. Coen noted that the original O'Sullivan had been refaced. Schroeder <br />acknowledged O'Sullivan as a driving force to revitalizing the area. O'Sullivan did see the <br />project as a catalyst for others when new business is brought to the area. <br />• <br />Regarding rezoning, O'Sullivan commented that the church has been there for many years, <br />and it may be hard for others to envision anything else. He said the project at hand makes <br />sense with the neighborhood and its municipal parking in creating a natural flow. <br />O'Sullivan said their purchase option for the church property expires at the end of July, <br />and only a short extension will be allowed. He said no developer or business will commit <br />to a project without assurances that rezoning will happen. Banks have shown interest in <br />becoming a tenant but will not progress further without the rezoning. O'Sullivan said, <br />once the rezoning issue is resolved, the project can be conformed to the code <br />requirements. He saw possibilities of clinics, light retail, bank, gift and greeting shops. He <br />noted there would be no high intensive use of the property such as video or liquor stores. <br />O'Sullivan said buffer zones would be created. During a meeting, neighbors asked how <br />the property would be accessed and deliveries made. Reaction was favorable to the plans. <br />Peterson noted that the majority of those attending walked to the meetings. O'Sullivan <br />said he has spoken with 80% of the business owners and all voiced favorable opinions of <br />the project. They also saw no conflicting usage. <br />16 <br />