01-19-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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Mayor Walsh, Council Members, and Mr. Barnhart December 7, 2020 Page 2 This one page document is not as detailed as the prior, seven lot plat submitted by the Jacobs Estate. The one page document appears to be a draft document printed over a topographical map without engineered dimensions. The one page document is insufficiently detailed to properly and fully evaluate so the one page document cannot be considered. It is our understanding that the purpose of tonight's City Council meeting is to refer the new proposed plat to the Orono Planning Commission. Barbara Burwell and I will be present at this evening's City Council meeting to ensure that her objections are noted. We also received Mr. Barnhart's two page letter to the Jacobs Estate's representative, detailing some of the City of Orono's comments and concerns regarding the revised plan. A copy of the letter is also enclosed for your convenient reference. We share many of the same concerns as the City regarding this revised proposal, including concerns over the proposed cul-de-sac road's length and the ability of emergency vehicles to navigate the cul-de-sac. A high density neighborhood at 1700 Shoreline Drive will not work, and Ms. Burwell opposes a six lot development. We also have separate concerns not yet raised by the City. For example, the Northern ALS line depicted on the revised proposal seems to rely on an unbuilt house and a non-principal structure. In other words, it seems likely that the Northern ALS line is inaccurate. We are also concerned that some of the proposed lots do not meet minimum acreage requirements or minimum lot width requirements. The revised plat would require variances. And, as we explained on October 26, 2020, the Jacobs Estate likely cannot meet the practical-difficulties test required for variances. (See Orono City Ordinance 78-121). In light of the above-raised concerns, we plan to object to the revised, six lot plat. Our understanding is that there will be no substantive discussion regarding the Jacobs Property at the December 7, 2020, City Council Meeting this evening, and that the revised plat will be referred to the City of Orono Planning Commission for discussion in January 2021. To the extent that there will be substantive discussion regarding the new six lot plat, we object to the plat based on: (1) the concerns raised by Mr. Barnhart in his November 19, 2020 letter, (2) the concerns we have raised, above, and (3) the lack of detail in the proposed six lot plat necessary to conduct an accurate and thorough analysis of the proposal. We also object to any substantive discussion of the revised plat because the one page PDF is insufficient to properly and fully analyze the Jacobs Estate's proposal. Very truly yours, /s/Aaron A. Dean Aaron A. Dean Attorney At Law