04-26-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 12,2004 7:00 o’clock p.m. (4. #04-2974 RELIANCE DEVELOPMENT CORP. HH'Y 12 / WILLOW DRIVE (OVTLOTA, STONEBAY)- COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT - TEXT DRAFT, continued) Acting Mayor White commented that empty retail space may result if a tenant can’t be found to fit the 5,000 s.f. space. He pointed out that maybe mor; flexibility would offer more tenants to the developer and White expressed his support. Mr. Steve Johnston, Landform Engineering Co., inteijected that the size consideration i.s an issue for PUD by amendment but not the Community Management Plan. He also noted that the time frame for PUD amendment is 60 days and the Comprehensive Plan Amendment procedure with other intergovernmental review takes far longer and tenants may be lost in the meantime. Mr.Trautz presented his second proposed change to the Draft Text on building orientation. He stated that all three buildings are not proposed to face the center of the site and may not fit the Draft Text. Gaffron offered to consider a language change to better preserve the more critical language that guards buildings directly facing Hwy 12. Sansevcrc suggested language that buildings on the site shall be oriented in a manner that focuses store fronts and store entrances away from Hwy 12. Mr. Trautz advised that their proposal does have one building facing Hwy 12, one that will face to the center and Walgreens is rotated with the front door at the center. Gaffron reiterated that the goal of this parameter was not to place such a focus on Hwy 12 that it would feel like one was entering from the rear when coming from the neighborhood, as opposed to having some store entrances visible from the neighborhood. Sanseverc suggested that perhaps the language could refer to a ‘majority’ of the buildings rather than ‘all’ buildings on site. Acting .Mayor While offered to delete the phrase “... in a manner that focuses storefronts and store entrances towards the center of the site rather than strictly toward Hwy 12...” as a solution. McMillan commented that the goal is to make the site look good from all sides, much like an island concept as it needs to look good from Hwy 12, too. She aclmow ledged that it was a difficult challenge for the site. Mr. Trautz agreed that all four building sides arc visible to the public and there are things that can be done w ith architecture and with plantings so it doesn’t feel like the back of a building. How ever, he stated that there w ill always be a back to a building but hopefully their site renderings show treatments to improve the back view s. Murphy urged the Council to remember that the focus of the discussion is to consider changes in the Community Management Plan and that there arc key phrases such as “locally owned business” from Which may be diverted at this site. He expressed that there needs to be special care given to try to Page 6 of 20 T