Orono Amber, LLC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting 19 November 13,2000 retail/office site separate from the housing site. He tried to preserve a hill between the two sites,thereby preserving vegetation. To.minimize the impact on the neighbors to the north, he moved the housing to the south and has reduced the parking. He lowered the height on the northeast wing to 2 stories, reducing the housing to 62 units. He also shortened the clock tower. He moved the office building 5 feet to the west and adjusted the elevator to eliminate variances. He raised the foundation of the senior housing 4 feet on the east side to keep the natural vegetation and moved the garage entrance to the south side so neighbors on the east wouldn't see cars coming and going from the garage. He chose similar building materials for the housing unit and the office building so they will be compatible. Dr. Berg, of 2021 Sugarwoods Drive, stated that the homeowners association has discussed the project, and they approve of the senior housing. They are concerned that the project is too big and too dense with about 17 people per acre. He submitted a petition stating that the neighbors feel the project is too big. Mayor Jabbour stated that the housing project needs enough density to justify the expense. Orono as a community needs senior housing. He asked the neighbors to realize that if the site is developed non-residential the parking requirements would eliminate all existing trees on the site. He asked the neighbors to offer suggestions instead of simply stating their complaints. Sansevere reminded the neighbors that Mr. Dunbar dropped his housing plan from 70 to 62 units and dropped one wing from 3 to 2 stories in order to accommodate the neighbors.