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FlEee I. DEC 2 0 2000 CI 1 1 ter utToivo December 14, 2000 . 4211A6_,- To: Mayor Jabour Orono City Council Orono Planning Committee Orono Planning Coordinator Subject: Rejection of Proposed Development— Brown Road & Rt.12 I am a resident of Orono and am a Sugar Woods' homeowner and taxpayer. I attended the December 7, 2000, Orono Council meeting and as a result am outraged that the Orono Council appears to be inclined to approve the monstrous condominium complex and office building proposed for the corner of Brown Road and Route 12. Anyone stopping at the Long Lake traffic signal and visualizing this three story "sea wall," stretched out curb to curb with all of the trees cut down, will agree that the proposed structure would make a very uninviting, unattractive entrance to the beautiful Orono area. This eyesore, which would be strategically sitting at the curve in the road, and up on the hill, would become the signature development of Orono. Its central position and imposing presence would be totally contrary to the goals and guidelines previously used to create and engender the Orono ambiance, which we all love and enjoy. I am certain that a mission of the Council is to preserve the beauty and rural character of this area. I cannot imagine that any Orono resident would think that the proposal as stated would come close to satisfying that mission. All of the Sugar Woods' residents invested in their property with a clear understanding of the existing zoning guidelines. I am not aware of any overwhelming reasons to motivate the Council to change the zoning in such a way to allow for the massiveness of this development. Senior housing would be a welcomed addition to our area. However, it appears that what is guiding the huge size of this proposal is the developer's unsupported profit