07-08-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 24,2002 7:00 oVIock p.m. (#02-2780 OTTEN BROTHERS NURSERY - Continued) to 1996, were omitted from the permitted uses of his PUD and asked if they could be put back into the agreement. In fact, he questioned the rationale of many crossed out items on the PUD Agreement, and even some that were not. As stated in the staff report some such uses “could be seen as detrimental to the City of Orono..”, Mr. Otten questioned realistically how could his allowing a book store to occupy his property be detrimental to Orono. He asked why he had also been told that he ca.nnot advertise his Daisy Diner, if it is to be suecessful, the diner must advertise its existence. There were no public comments at this time. White asked if Mr. Otten ’s objections surrounded the ban on advertising. Mr. Otten stated that he also questioned why he could not have a waitress serve coffee or bring people their orders after they’ve placed them. Murphy questioned staff if anyone could recall the rationale behind many of the stricken items being crossed off the list in the first place. He added that his only reservation in allowing restaurants would be that a fast food service might move in. Gaflfron indicated that Murphy made a good point, no one could explain why some of the items were crossed off, while excluding others, like liquor stores. Weinberger noted that the diner is an accessory use to the garden center. If a freestanding structure or restaurant were proposed, the parking shortage would cause an issue. In fact, Weinberger indicated that if a restaurant were built, it would be subject to public review. Sansevere stated that he had no strong objections to allowing the diner as a permitted use and asked why anyone might object to having a waitress bring them a cup of coffee. White questioned what would be wrong w ith a tasteful neon sign in the window advertising the diner. He stated that bookstores and others offer coffee etc. for spouses or visitors to enjoy as they browse, and asked what the problem would be with that here. Mr. O’Reilly mentioned that most of the comments he has received are from people who have stopped for a cup of coffee or bite of lunch elsewhere, and then said if they had only known Otten ’s Daisy Diner existed they w ould have waited to buy it there as they shopped. Murphy asked if Otten has been limited from advertising in the paper. Sansevere reiterated that he saw no conflict with allowing a restaurant at that location. He added that across the street there already are venues, fast food, coffee, etc. and this would not impact the intersection greatly. PAGE 3 of 17