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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, March 2nd, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 12 of 20 <br /> <br />Carter stated that this is a good plan that needs further development. He noted Dayton’s vision/intent <br />needs to be figured out and the abstract found. There needs to be better engagement, and it would be <br />better to do that in the summer when people are using the park so they can be reached out to. People in <br />the community and the rowing club need to come together and be the client so the Park Commission does <br />not need to decide if the client is the rowing club or the community, because it should be both. He <br />suggested doing a trial period without a building with some amount of traffic from Birch’s moving to <br />Summit to see how it works. A master plan needs to be created. He said it would not be that difficult to <br />show the impact on the neighbors’ views. There is a lot of potential, but if the Commission rushes to <br />judgment, it would be hard for him to make a choice to go in this direction. <br /> <br />Stephens gave his initial impression: it is a large building and large impact on a small park. Some will <br />view it as a positive impact; some will view it as a negative impact. He also would like to see more <br />collaboration and creativity so it can be a more positive impact for everyone. He does not know if it has <br />reached an “inspired design” at this time. He thought the rowing club would have a more favorable <br />response if it was a more creative proposal. <br /> <br />Hudson noted the letters/emails/conversations had nothing but the highest praise for the LLRC and he is <br />proud to have them in the community. He would like to see increased outreach such as an open house and <br />not just invitations to people. He agreed the abstract needs to be found. The Commissioners are concerned <br />with the use of the park. He believes this promotes increased use, community participation, fitness, and <br />well-being. The contact he received was 75% in support of the proposal. <br /> <br />Ruegemer noted most of the letters came from the rowing club. The letters she received from neighbors <br />were 99.9% the opposite. The Commission has to look at the broader community, not just the rowing <br />club. The parks are neighborhood parks; they are meant to serve communities. She stated it sounds like a <br />very positive club and she does not know of anyone that says anything negative about the club, but that <br />does not mean it is a great fit for Summit. <br /> <br />Ms. Victoria Seals, 3620 Eileen Street, said she thought the process to get here is unfortunate for <br />everyone. As a Councilmember, she is looking for this to be compartmentalized. She is not worried about <br />the design. What she wants to know is whether it is good to look at a partnership: yes/no. Do the <br />Commissioners think this will expand usage of the park: yes/no. Are there things to figure out: probably. <br />Do we want to maintain the nature setting: yes. She said the LLRC is doing their best to adjust to <br />feedback and that feedback may put them in a doom loop. She asked the Commissioners to give some <br />guidance because it helps the Planning Commission, who will dig into it and give some advice. She <br />discussed the Commissioners’ views and noted the reason there are so many steps in the process is so that <br />things can be vetted. If she was the LLRC, she would not know where to go and what their next step was. <br />Basically, they want to know if the Park Commission is interested; do they want to go on a second date. <br /> <br />Carter clarified that this is what he was talking to Roath about, providing guidance to the Council rather <br />than voting. He requested Seals to repeat that specific set of questions. <br /> <br />Ms. Seals stated she looks at the situation this way: Do I think it would be good to look at this <br />partnership: yes/no. Do I think this will bring more people to the park and expand usage: yes/no. She <br />referenced the “secret” park and noted if it’s everyone’s park, it should not be a secret. She asked if <br />people wanted to increase usage. She suggested also including some callouts/watchouts/lookouts that <br />might be important such as: make sure to preserve nature in a certain way; make sure there is a clear