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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 16, 1998 <br /> • (#2416/2417 TOLD Development, continued) <br /> McMillan commented she would like to see some development on that site but has reservations <br /> about this project. <br /> Mayor Jabbour stated the City came up with the B-5 District back in 1975, and the district has been <br /> modified over time due to uses that were not necessarily anticipated by the City at the time the <br /> district was formed. Jabbour recommending the Planning Commission look at the overall picture of <br /> what Orono wants to accomplish with their zoning and not react to individual applications. Jabbour <br /> cautioned the Planning Commission against eroding the intent of the zoning code in an attempt to <br /> make this property more marketable. <br /> Cunningham noted he will be meeting with Walgreens December 7th to discuss this project and <br /> hopefully will have a definite commitment by the company to develop this property. <br /> O'Sullivan stated that other businesses such as a bank and retail center have looked at this site, <br /> noting that a drugstore would be an appropriate use for this area. O'Sullivan commented most of <br /> the residents in the area are in support of this project and that the B-5 language is old and should <br /> be updated. <br /> McMillan reiterated she is opposed to amending the district simply to accommodate this one <br /> development. <br /> Berg commented she would like to see a drugstore in the Navarre area, but had concerns about the <br /> drive-through window. <br /> • Lindquist stated he is in agreement with McMillan and is not in favor of spot zoning. <br /> Schroeder inquired what a B-3 District is. <br /> Gaffron stated a B-3 District is a shopping center/business district/general retail district, and a <br /> B-1 District tends to have larger sites and a larger grouping of tenants. <br /> McMillan commented she was not against development on this property. <br /> Cunningham stated Walgreens is a good developer for this property because they can afford to <br /> complete all of the requirements. <br /> Gaffron stated that a B-1 District is similar to a B-5 in that they supply commodities but differ in <br /> that some uses are allowed in a B-1 that would not be allowed in a B-5 such as garages and <br /> restaurants. Gaffron commented he does not think this development would make sense as a B-3. <br /> Schroeder noted this is an expensive piece of property to develop and that other proposals for this <br /> parcel have been considered in the past to no avail. Schroeder stated in his opinion this is a good <br /> business for this location and would be in favor of the project. <br /> Stoddard stated most of his comments relate to the next portion of the application, noting he would <br /> be inclined to vote along with the rest of the members. <br /> Hawn stated she does not have a problem with the selling of pharmaceuticals, but has some concerns <br /> over the size of this development and the vast range of products sold by Walgreens. <br /> • Chair Smith noted that the Planning Commission in the past has looked at some controls to limit <br /> the impact to the district, noting she has some concerns with the drive-through window. Smith <br /> Page 19 <br />