09-16-2002 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, August 19,2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#02-2782 ORONO PROFESSIONAL PROPERTIES, Continued) The Applicants also advised the City that they have signed a purchase agreement to acquire the adjacent 2.5 acre parcel to the east, which in the Revised Concept Plan indicates the potential for additional parking on that site as well as shared access to Kelley Parkway. Gaffron continued that, the latest issue with the purchase is that the applicants’ environmental consultant has suggested that the site may contain small pockets of defined wetlands, although not originally mapped on the site. Gaffron noted that the City Engineer is currently reviewing the wetland status of the property and will provide staff with additional information soon. GalTron reported that, John Smythe, the City wetland delineator, indicated that small pockets of wetland, approximately 50 ’X50 ’ exist at the center of the property, although it cannot be concluded currently by slide analysis whether these have been man made from grading or naturally occurring. Gaffron implied that the Watershed District may require a small amount of mitigation off-site if the spot is found to contain wetlands regulated under the WCA rules. With regard to the Concept Plan, GafTron pointed out 5 revisions: First, the building is 16,000 s.f. rather than the original 15,000 s.f; Second, the front entrance of the building has been revised so that it faces northeast towards Kelley Parkway; Third, the easterly entrance to Kelley Parkway will be a full access shared entrance with the adjacent property directly across from the police station access as required by the City; Next, the westerly access from Kelley Parkway will be ‘in-only” w hich provides for easy patient drop-off and pick-up and less stacking backups; Finally, the easterly parking lots are connected by two “through” corridors to addifional parking on the adjoining property. Based on the applicants’ revised plan, 67 stalls are on site and 15 arc provided on the adjacent property to meet the applicants expectation that 83 stalls w ill likely be necessary to adequately ser\ c their intended use of the building. Gaffron added that the proposed parking on the adjoining piopcrty can be dealt w ith cither by an casement or moving the lot line to include these within the property itself Gaffron stated that the two options for allowing the required parking and shared access to occur outside the boundaries of the property arc 1) require that parking easements or agreements be established betw een the two properties; or 2) require that the lot boundaries be adjusted so that all parking for the comer lot is within the comer lot. In any case, Gaffron acknowledged that the shared access location is appropriate to ser\ e both sites, while likely an additional access to Kelley Parkw ay would be developed for the easterly parcel. As far as the trail along Highway 12, Gaflron indicated that there were a number of issues that should be taken into consideration: i .e., the safety aspect of proximity to Highway 12, as any trail should be significantly separated from the traveled right-of-way; aesthefic impacts; the impact of pedestrian traffic near the medical building windows; and topographic issues. PAGE 2 of 28