03-17-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 17, 1997 (94 - #2209 Spring Hill Golf Club - Continued) Chuck Plante said the EAW document noted the well to be 178'. Braman said that the well is drilled down to that depth but was finished off at 80'. Gaffron recommended the City Engineer review the issue. Stoddard inquired what the use would be of the well. Braman said it would pump 500- 600 gallons per minute to the irrigation pump and would come out of the pond at a higher rate. The reservoir would fluctuate with higher use in the evenings. It is unknown how often it will run; but Braman said during the first year of use for developing plant growth, it was expected to run 70 -80% of the time. Dick Krueger, Willow Brook Drive, voiced concerns with the thoroughness of the EAW. He noted the response of the DNR regarding the Big Woods and concluded that they did not know where the golf course was going to be placed in relation to the Big Woods. He said he contacted the DNR, who he said were surprised by the location of the course. Krueger said he was concerned that Schoell and Madson did not bring the issue to the attention of the DNR. Lindquist informed Krueger that such concerns were why the application process was going at a slow pace. • Krueger said he contacted the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary of which he is a member. He was informed that the sanctuary was not linked to golf courses. Krueger said the sanctuary is not part of the National Audubon Society. McMillan informed Krueger that the New York chapter of the Audubon Society, and not the national organization, set up the sanctuary program in order to minimize problems regarding pest control, water control, and impact on wildlife by assisting golf courses to become more environmentally friendly. She said the sanctuary was a conservative bent of the Audubon Society, which has changed over the years from a bird watching organization to one concerned with environmental issues. Krueger said he did not believe the Audubon Society would approve of the destruction of the Big Woods. • Krueger expressed concern regarding wetlands adjacent to the property not being addressed in the review. He questioned what effect the club would have on these wetlands. He is concerned that a dam would decrease the amount of water in the wetlands on his property. He said it was not addressed in the EAW. McMillan said she also would like to see an analysis of that issue regarding the effects the club will have on neighboring properties. Braman said the drainage system study was a part of the evaluation. Lindquist asked for a simplification of the study at the continuation meeting. Braman said he or the hydrologist would supply that information. 13