08-19-1996 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 15. 19% (#9 - *^2154 John O'Sullivan/Eruin Smith - Continued) Peterson said he would not have envisioned changing the zoning one year ago but now views it differently, noting a recent proposal lurther south on Shadvwood for a minor rezoning from residential to commercial for an automotive graphics business He suggested the two sites be considered together There are two residential lots combined with the lot that was considered for the auto graphics site Berg said she did not believe the Commission would want to tie the two properties together Goetten said the back lots were zoned residential, and the applicants had proposed rezoning Goetten said the Council wanted to look at all of Navarre before making any changes In discussing whether to look at Navarre as a whole or property by property, Lindquist said it could not alt he dr»ne at once Lindquist saw the need tor developers to make an>lhing happen and rezoning alone would not accomplish anything Berg cited an example in Minneapolis of a neighborhood revitalization She said the business owners had to be convinced to become involved by offering incentives Mabusth later noted in the meeting that the business owners back in 1987 were oflered low interest loans but still had no interest Berg acknowledged O'Sullivan's pride in his property and saw the proposal as an improvement She also saw the need to look at the highest and best use of the property and w as not convinced residential would be the answer. She noted the neighbors were pleased with the proposal at hand Mabusth asked for a reason w hy the property was not suitable for housing. Berg said it was close to an intersection and not large enough to attract a developer Peterson said he thought the neighbors would prefer a buffer such as a church but that was not voiced Lindquist asked about petitions for and against the project. O'Sullivan noted that petitions were presented at both information meetings as w ell as located in his store Of all the signatures, he has only received one in opposition, and that person lives tarther away from the site O'Sullivan said he has heard no opposition Peterson acknowledged the change of heart from those neighboring property ow ners in this application as compared to the previous application for a shelter for this property O'Sullivan also questioned the affordability of land for moderate housing on the site It was noted that the public was not notified of this sketch plan review The next door neighbor to this property, John Erickson, was said to not oppose or voice positively for this proposal. 15