02-18-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 18, 1997 • ( #7 - #2209 Spring Hill Golf Club - Continued) Hunter reported that the private golf club would be limited to a membership of 185 and have no country club -type amenities. The club will be an 18 hole championship golf facility and be open only during the golf season. The facility will be open for lunch and an occasional breakfast or dinner. No leasing or holding of other events will take place. The club house will be 10,000 s. f. in size and consist of a remodeled portion of the estate part of the conference center. The remainder of the 60,000 s.f building will be removed. The maintenance facility will be 10,000 s. f. in size. The golf course is being designed by Tom Fazio, who Hunter described as the #1 architect of golf courses specializing in preserving the natural setting. Hunter reported that the subject property was on the market for sale over three years. Because of the neighbors concerns, the purchase of this property along with three neighboring properties required a non - development option. The other three properties had not been for sale but were sold through an option by the owners to keep Spring Hill area from being developed or becoming a residential subdivision. Hunter said these neighbors saw the golf course as pro - environmental. Hunter explained the time table for the project. The first five months in the first year will allow for clearing and grading. The next growing season will allow for planting and • completion of the growing process. Play for golf would not occur until the third year. Hunter indicated that a delay in the process affects a full year. The organization would like to begin the process on June 1, 1997. • Hunter reviewed the project issues. The organization had believed there would be additional land not required for the golf course. They found with the land contours, wetlands, and woods, that all of the land purchased would be necessary. Six different course designs were developed. Hunter said the variations were reviewed to find the best plan for preservation of the environment and answer of traffic concerns. A neighborhood meeting was held by the organization in December, 1996, and attended by 60 people. Individual meetings were also conducted. The neighborhood concerns included the following: 1) Increase of traffic to the area. The organization will ensure that all employee access be from CoRd 6 only. 2) Entrance to the golf course on Spring Hill Road. The entrance was moved 114 mile further from CoRd 6. While this is not the organization's desired entrance, the change was required in order that golf not be played across the entry way. 14