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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> MINUTES FOR MAY 17, 1999 <br /> (#11) #2490 CHARLES AND SUE VAN EECKHOUT, 120 BROWN ROAD SOUTH -SKETCH <br /> 111 PLAN REVIEW—(cont.) <br /> Van Eeckhout remarked that he did not receive any compensation for the taking, which in his <br /> opinion decreased the value of his property. Van Eeckhout noted that a lot of new rules and regulations <br /> have been adopted by the City over the years, and requested that the Planning Commission rezone this <br /> area back to what it originally was at the time of purchase. <br /> Gaffron commented that the City of Orono would disagree with the opinion that the rezoning was a taking. <br /> Van Eeckhout stated that he has quarter acre lots to the north adjacent to his property, one acre <br /> lots on the northwest, and one acre lots to the south, and wetlands to the east. Van Eeckhout <br /> remarked that in essence his property was spot zoned at the time the area was rezoned. <br /> Van Eeckhout commented that this subdivision would contain one acre lots, which in his opinion are <br /> sufficient lots, noting that two acre lots would cost more, and that due to environmental concerns <br /> because of its location by Long Lake Creek, this area should be connected to City sewer. A large <br /> number of trees also exist on the property which cannot be cut down. Van Eeckhout stated that he <br /> would like to have a forester out there to review the situation to determine whether some of the <br /> trees can be cut down to help the undergrowth grow back. <br /> Van Eeckhout stated he is willing to work with City Staff on these issues. <br /> Lindquist remarked that he understands Van Eeckhout's position on the taking, but that is an issue <br /> for the City Council. Lindquist commented that in his opinion this area should remain zoned at <br /> two acres. <br /> • Hawn stated she is in agreement with Lindquist and that the Planning Commission does not <br /> do rezoning. Hawn remarked that this area might be a potential site for a PRD and might lend <br /> itself to some cluster development. <br /> Van Eeckhout commented that in his opinion under this sketch plan there is sufficient spacing for <br /> the proposed residences, noting that he would not have a problem with doing a PUD on this <br /> area as he has presented it tonight. <br /> Stoddard stated that he also concurs that this is an issue for the City Council to determine, <br /> noting that the Planning Commission is a recommending body and it does not appear that the <br /> Planning Commission would recommend rezoning of this area. Stoddard remarked that the City <br /> also needs to make a determination on whether this area should be included in the Metropolitan <br /> Urban Service Area. <br /> Hawn noted that this application is driven by whether or not the Applicant can rezone this <br /> property and that issue should be resolved first before further consideration is given to this <br /> sketch plan. <br /> Gaffron stated that the area south of the Luce Line is zoned two acres, noting that Fox Ridge was <br /> developed back in the 1960s. <br /> Stoddard commented that the Applicant will also need to determine the type of wetlands that <br /> exist on the property. <br /> Van Eeckhout stated that in his opinion this area is incorrectly zoned wetland and he has farmed <br /> the wetland area on a regular basis. Van Eeckhout remarked that the wetland is six feet above <br /> the water level. Van Eeckhout commented that in his opinion this area can adequately support nine <br /> structures. <br /> 16 <br />