02-08-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 8,2021 6:03 p.m. 19. LA20-000048-TIMOTHY WHITTEN O/B/O I.JACOBS/A.JACOBS REVOCABLE TRUST, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE,PRELIMINARY PLAT-RESOLUTION—Continued Crosby pointed out he was saying that this one is ten times better than that situation and people cross there. He said it is what it is and it is not ideal to cross Shoreline Drive but people have lakeshore lots. Johnson asked Barnhart,regarding the red line that he did,how does that relate to Lot 5 now. He noted there was an s-curve line and there is a straight line. Barnhart said he was trying to be cute and follow this here(noted on-screen)because it is a direct measurement off this line. He wants to defer and thinks this will be more accurate in his line and asked the City Council to keep in mind he is trying to draw that line. Johnson said the red dashes that are there are the equivalent of Barnhart's rendering with the red squiggly. Barnhart replied yes. Johnson stated it is just showing the portion of the lot that it affects. They are showing that house pad forward of that because their intention is to utilize Tanager Estates Lot 3; he asked if that is where they will find themselves. Barnhart said it will be likely closer to the lake than what this red line is, but they have to wait for this lot to be built. Johnson noted the purpose of what is showing there is a buildable pad. Barnhart replied that this is a buildable pad. Johnson asked if that is based on what they would use if this was a completely blank lot. Barnhart said yes. For example, if this was final plat approval tonight,and if the entire road was built and these were buildable lots,this is where they could build a house on Lot 5 with no variances. Johnson indicated he is looking for a way to deny this because he does not like the idea. He does not like the density here and thinks the argument could be that Heritage down the way has a lot more activity. He said well,that is in place. They often use redevelopment as an opportunity to improve and this is not improving that area. There is not anyone on the planet that drives that road that says"gosh, let's add a bunch more houses on here,it's the best thing for everybody." Johnson stated it is not and it is not in keeping with the use of that site or that stretch of road so it is a great hesitation. He said it is not anything against the plan as it looks like everyone is working hard to have a conforming plan but it does not make it a good idea and this is an example where the way this has been platted is not keeping with the spirit of Orono. One,protecting the interest of property owners,this is an overdevelopment of a spot,but Johnson said if this is what the City's code allows and there is not a reasonable objection the Council can have,he does not know what to do. However, if there is a reasonable objection to prevent this from going forward, that is what he wants. Walsh agrees and has that same feeling. The problem the Council has is when things are in front of them, they must make the decision based on the code that is in front of them and the development that is in front Page 17 of 26