08-12-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 15. 1996 (#9 - #2154 John O'Sullivaa^rv^in Smith - Continued) O'Sullivan said he cannot move any farther forward without the rezoning He acknowledged that other developers would come forward at some future point hut noted the comprehensive plan's call for encouragement of private unification and coordinated projects O'Sullivan said the property could remain as it is, the existing stmcture could be used, or tax-subsidized housing is a possibility He asked that with the purchase option, the plan of presentation before the Planning Commission and Council in August be upheld Schroeder asked what studies w ere done to see if such a project wus viable O’Sulliv'an said he stood on the comer and viewed the situation He noted that since the proposal, others have approached him with interest in the project Coen added that a cash flow review showed favorable results Lindquist asked if O'Sullivan would require a certain amount of the building to have lease commitments prior to building O’.Sullivan said he would look at 70-80% Berg said leases would have to be the length of the mortgage It was noted that of the 23,000 s f size, 19,000 would be for office and retail use. O'Sullivan said he has spoken with the Engineer, Shawn Gustafson, who said the plan appears to be a good use and feasible from an engineering standpoint. The engineering issues will be addressed. In obtaining Commission viewpoints, Stoddard saw the plan as a good buffer to the residential area Lindquist said he was in favor of the project. Peterson saw the project and rezoning as appropriate and as a catalyst for the Navarre area Smith said she was okay with the plan She did not see it as the perfect buffer; though acknowledged, there may not be a perfect solution. Smith asked why B-5 was considered Gaffron reviewed the uses in the business districts noting the fit of the B-5 uses with the area B-1 had the most uses B-3 requires a 2-acre minimum lot size and accommodates shopping centers and multiple buildings. B-4 provided for professional and office but without any retail B-5 allows for such uses as municipal, office, clinics, art stores, office supply, real estate, barber shops, photo ?- es, hobby and gift, antiques, libraries, pet store, and other miscellaneous retail Other«. < areas in the City are to the west end of Navarre, with a furniture store, a non-confi-1 u: g gas station, a Dair>' Queen, a veterinarian ofifice, an auto parts store, and office space Schroeder said he liked the look of the project and asked for direction on how rezoning process occurs. Gaffron reviewed the process Schroeder asked that traffic flow improvements be considered and other businesses be encouraged to work with the City for revitalizing the area