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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,March 16,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Erickson stated he recognizes Staff approval,noting the Commission is allowed to recommend approval <br /> for all, some, or none of the changes.He said he is in receipt of 3 letters: Mr.Eader suggests he has come <br /> to an agreement.Bryce Johnson,who is representing the Citizens for Lakeview Preservation, said he is <br /> generally okay with it but hoped any individual issues affecting neighboring houses can be solved to the <br /> satisfaction of those involved. Mr. Crandall, a homeowner next to Lot 15, is concerned about the loss of <br /> the conservation easement area on Lot 15.He said,keeping those documents in mind,he would lean <br /> towards improving the plan with the exception of the Lot 15 loss of conservation area. <br /> Libby said he tends to agree with Staffs evaluation since the proposal has met their expectations. Overall, <br /> he looks at this from a highest/best use perspective.He is conscious of conservation, preservation,and <br /> restoration,yet the original development evolved into some unforeseen consequences.Land development <br /> is complicated and not perfect;moving dirt is very expensive. He felt the proposal was fairly well thought <br /> out,but as the process has gone through subdividing land and lots,things happen. He does not see a <br /> deprivation;he sees a gain. <br /> Doepke stated the trading of land for other land benefits the community overall.His concern is Lot 15, <br /> wherein the owner of Lot 10 was expressing an issue about having some of the conservation easement <br /> taken away.The letter indicates the issue was satisfactorily resolved.He did not get an understanding <br /> from the letter that Mr.Crandall was referring to the Lot 15 issue, so he had no comment.He has a slight <br /> concern with the addition of a driveway right on the curve of North Arm Drive. <br /> Ressler noted he tries to look at things with an unbiased lens. Generally,people are opposed to <br /> developments.This is one of the largest developments that has been done in recent history in Orono, and <br /> change is naturally going to be opposed. In these types of situations,he tends to follow Staff <br /> recommendations.Although he sees the opposition,he feels like the applicant has done their best to try to <br /> appease some of the opposition and made efforts to improve that. <br /> Doepke asked Staff what the specific consideration was in regard to the driveway that would be added <br /> along North Arm Drive,as far as if the County would need to be involved,etc. <br /> Barnhart said Staff has not done any analysis on the driveway location or where the house would be <br /> located.That would be a discussion for later. <br /> Erickson asked Staff to point out what lot Mr. Crandall was referring to. <br /> Curtis stated she assumed he meant Lot 17,but she doesn't know because he did not say. <br /> Erickson noted Mr. Crandall's letter indicates that when he bought his house there would only be one new <br /> house next to him. With the loss of conservation area,another house would be allowed,presumably on <br /> the other side. <br /> Doepke said if Mr. Crandall is on Lot 21,Lots 20 and 22 are already buildable,which is very clear.His <br /> letter is not very clear. <br /> Erickson stated that Mr. Crandall is clear that he is getting another house that he was not planning on. <br /> Page 3 of 16 <br />