10-25-1999 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Long Lakc/Orono Consolidation Committee Thursday, Oetober 21,1999 Page 5 Development Forces Prosser stated the Consolidation Committee will need to look at what factors will have the greatest influence on the development of the community, how a merger will affect those factors, and whether the current development pattern will continue. Prosser commented that a few of the development forces include transportation, the real estate market, government makeup, and how much control the cities have to influence growth and development. Peterson pointed out that a City Council cannot decline a development for the simple reason that a majority of the citizens arc opposed to it if it is in compliance with ail the City 's criteria regulating that development Peterson commented that if the City's controls are too restrictive limiting development, those controls may become invalidated because the property owner has inherent values to their property . Prosser commented that the Committee will need to determine what factors influence growth in this area, noting that the comprehensive plans contain a fundamental plan regarding development which needs to be reviewed. Prosser stated that consolidation in his view will not influence the philosophy of the local gov ernment but lies w ith the people who make up the government and is influenced by the local residents Moorse commented that the philosophy contained in the comprehensive plan regarding development could be impacted based on the condition of the economy or citizen pressure on the City Council to change the comprehensive plan. Prosser remarked that how the community grows revolves around certain established standards which will not change overnight and requires discussion of those issues before a modification is made. Childs commented tliat with a merger, the two cities will go in the same direction as it relates to development rather than in two separate directions Murphy stated tliat he is in fav or of a diverse community . Mayor Jabbour statenJ that the Committee should look at how the forces of the community may impact the community if the two cities arc consolidated or left separate Prosser indicated that it was liis opinion the two cities will be less likely to be impacted negatively by a change in philosophy if the two communities are merged, noting that subtle changes over time can sometimes create major problems m the future Land Use Prosser stated the Committee will need to identify what land use issues are facing the