10-21-2019 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, October 21, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. McMillan noted Orono has recently adopted its 2040 Community Management Plan and Parks and Open Space and Trail goals, which identifies that the plan is based upon the following goals and policies: One, to provide passive open space and active recreational opportunities to serve the needs and desires of all residents; two, protect, preserve, restore, and provide access to ecologically significant areas, natural resource areas, wildlife habitats and open space; and three, to provide city-wide bike and walking trails that provide connections between area parks, open space, and when possible, function as transportation corridors. While there might be a solution in vacating some of the land, he does not want to see the City vacate the asphalt portion of Smith Avenue. Instead, this is an opportunity for the City to develop and make a much clearer access and path for people to use the Luce Line Trail and avoid having to use Orono Orchard Road. Ash Day, 1171 Lyman, stated perhaps posting a no turn -around sign would be helpful. Cars have turned around in his driveway from time to time. Day questioned how a cul-de-sac would fit within that space and that he would like to see it on a plan. One question the City should consider is whether they want to give away the second potential egress from the neighborhood, because if they shut that off, that egress would be gone. Shawn Benson, 1220 Lyman, stated they learned about this seven days ago from an anonymous letter, and that he is wondering what the process is for how this is supposed to unfold and how the neighbors learn about it. Ressler stated the Planning Commission's responsibility is to provide feedback to the City Council and that they have the option of either voting for, against, or tabling the application. Barnhart stated Staff sent out a postcard to properties located within 500 feet of the two subject parcels. That notice has to be sent out between 10 and 20 days before the meeting. Staff did field a number of calls and questions right away, which demonstrates that people received it. If the Planning Commission elects to table the application, direction will be provided to the applicant on how they should proceed, and then it will be heard at the City Council meeting on November 121. Benson stated it would be nice to notify everyone on Lyman and Smith because they are all impacted by it and that they might not be dealing with completely accurate information. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Ressler stated what is proposed is unclear, which is the difficulty a number of people are having today. Providing equitable access to the trail and addressing safety concerns would be agreeable to the neighbors but that he is not sure how they get there. It is not clear whether that can be done with an alternative access point. McCutcheon stated he would be in favor of tabling the application. McCutcheon indicated he drove down there this weekend and the road is tight. The neighborhood needs a cul-de-sac. If there is a plan that depicts the cul-de-sac and the trail access, that would be very helpful. Due to the City's pavement project, the timeline is tight and requires decisions to be made rather quickly. McCutcheon recommended they show the sanitary sewer solution as well on the plan. Page 5 of 20