07-16-2001 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MLNL'TES OF THE ORONO PEANMiNO COMMISSION MEETING ___Monday, J«ae 18.2001___________ (Bajiftind Christian Church, Continued) Kluth stated he has a concern if the conditions are too restrictive or are specifically targeted towards churches whether that stand up to scrutin> b> a couit of law. Kluth stated in order to attach specific standards to a church that are not being required of other uses in the B-4 District requires a ver> good reason in his opinion and needs to be able to stand up to scrutiny. Uerg commented she has major concerns regarding the traffic in this area and the possibility that pedestrians will he crossing a busy street. Beestrom stated the •act that pedestrians ma> be crossing a street is not pn.'ccdent setting and that for almost lUO sears the old Grace Church had people crossing County Road 19. Beestrom stated the parking lot for the Fairview Coxenant Church only accommodates 25 percent of their cars, with appr, \imatclv 75 pereem of the parking being located across the street. Beestrom stated the c.xisting parking lot for this building w ill accommodate the majority of the cars that w ill travel to the church, with the majority of the tralllc being on Sunday, and in his opinion is not a major problem. Berg stated she has lived in this area since 1979. and is aware of the iraB'ic situation in the area. Berg stated the trafllc going north is not as bad as the tralfic going south. Berg statc*d she has major concerns about allowing pedestrian traffic across County Road 19. Ileckal stated in his opinion, based on his conversations w ith other pastors in the area, a ratio of one to four persons per cor is more reasonable for chuiches. Hawn inquired whether the Planning Commission is in favor of the performance standard requiring a 50 foot setback for all buildings from lot lines abutting a residentially zoned properly. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that this standard should be required. Haw n inquired xxhether the Planning Commission r*****. ')crs were in favor of the performance standard requiring that the Applicant demonstrate that the parking requirements for the e.xpected level of use will be met without necessitating pedestrian moxement across a major thoroughfare Hawn staled It was her understanding from Council Member Sansevere’s comments that the Council has concerns that pedestrian traffic not cross County Road 19. Beestrom stated the Freshwater Institute currently utilizes the parking lot that the church will also be utilizing, with pedestrians crossing the road to get to activ ities being held at the Frrjnwatc. Institute. Beestrom stated that situation has been occur'tog for years. Hawn stated the Planning Commission .n in iely a recommending body to the Council. w\h the Council having indicated that they would prefer pedestrians not have to cross County Ro;^; 19 in order to attend functions at the church Hawn stated the Baywind church will need to d,ic tss this issue with the Council. Wells commented it is hard to set policies that will be violated out of necessity. Hawn stated if that is the case, that is not an acceptable solution. PAGES