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MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 17, 1D70 <br />Russell moved, Gasch seconded, that there <br />should bo overall zoninn in an area and <br />not spot rezoninf! of parcels such ns this <br />and that denial should be recommend. Motion <br />Ayes (1) - Nays (0), horn nbstaininj. <br />Page 2 <br />»?EZ0NING <br />(continued) <br />JischcTp representinn the !7ood- <br />Rill Foundation, explained the long-range <br />plans ior the Foundation proposed for Towles <br />property at 724 Sixth Avenue North--how <br />the idea fcrnulatod anc* what steps have <br />been taken to date to give substance to <br />those ideas. He wont on to state that <br />plans are to start with conferences of <br />about 60 people, which will be selectively <br />chosen--that these woult' be dedicated <br />people and that the Center would not be <br />used merely as a recreation area. Parkinn <br />areas would be screened so there wotild be ’ <br />no visible signs of any activity from the <br />streets. Horn then asked if there was <br />any opposition from the noinjjbors to the <br />usage of the property for this purpose and <br />was assured by Mr. Fischer that t!>ey <br />were all for it. Gasch asked about the <br />1969 tax reform bill as pertaining to <br />I foundations and Mr. Fischer explained that <br />^ the 301 mentioned in the bill pertained to <br />donations rather than abatements. Discussion <br />was held on the use of payments directly <br />to the Village in lieu of taxation for <br />Village services. <br />Russell moved, that the Planning Commission <br />recommend in princinlc to the Council the <br />application of the Wood-nili Foundation <br />for permission to establish a conference <br />center on the John Cowles property, with <br />careful consideration to be given I <br />follottring factors: <br />1. Benefits to the Community - It is the <br />expressed intention ot the Foundation to <br />provide an attractive facility for seminars <br />and meetings of groups interested in <br />ecological, economic, sociological, <br />educational, artistic, medical and other <br />topics of the day. Such a facility seems <br />to fill an area need and could be a real <br />asset to Orono. It should bo romomboro»l, <br />however, that an important precedent is <br />.being established, and it may in the future <br />'be difficult to refuse a similar application <br />from some other group whoso nos it ion on <br />social, political, religious or other issues <br />might bo decidedly unpopular with the nverape <br />citizen of Orono. , -(contintied) <br />WOOD-RILL FOlINTlATION <br />725 Sixth Avenue North