Laserfiche WebLink
NflNUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 19, 1996 <br />(#1 - #2158 John O'Sullivan/Grace Baptist Church Property »Rezoning - Continued) <br />O Sullivan said he considered the neighborhood, the intense use on adjacent properties, <br />and the allowed uses in each district to determine that the best fit is B-5 commercial. He <br />continued that he found no offensive uses among those permitted in B-5 and noted they <br />were uses that generated low traffic <br />O'Sullivan reported that he held two public tent meetings the end of June He notified all <br />property owners within 600’ of the site, which is two times what is required by law, and <br />also went door to door in a half mile square vicinity 80 people, including 2 Planning <br />Commissioners, attended the meetings The comments received by O'Sullivan were <br />favorable to the concept noting there would be no infringement on the neighborhood. <br />Petitions were available and were signed by almost all of those in attendance All but a <br />couple of people supported the concept. O'Sullivan also provided drawings of the plans <br />and a petition in his nearby store in mid-July. He received 200 signatures of which the <br />majority showed a telephone prefix of 471, which is that of the Navarre area O’Sullivan <br />said he also spoke w ith about 80 business owners and received signatures of those <br />favoring the concept Only 5 or 6 were said to not voice favor but asked questions about <br />the proposal Only one of the opposed was an Orono resident. <br />O Sullivan concluded that the B-5 was a great fit between the busier B-1 business district <br />and the residential zoning He noted that no one adamantly opposed the project. The <br />most concern was that of tearing down a church O’Sullivan said the purchase option was <br />soon to expire, and a decision needs to be made soon on whether to continue pursuing the <br />property General plans have been made but a comprehensive plan is awaiting the <br />rezoning issue decision. O'Sullivan said he has received numerous inquiries regarding the <br />space to include realty offices, insurance, and floral shop He, at this point, is unable to go <br />any further in the application until the rezoning is decided O'Sullivan noted that he owns <br />two of the adjoining parcels and sees the joint development as an opportunity for the <br />future of the area <br />Peterson said he attended the neighborhood meeting and noted those in attendance were <br />for the concept, who said they were tired of seeing the empty building Peterson said the <br />City does not change zoning without alot of thought but feels the concept would fit in the <br />comprehensive plan of the City. He felt the question was whether the City should look at <br />one parcel versus the long range plans for the Navarre area, noting there was no plan to <br />do so at this time Peterson felt if the application was in regards to another location, it <br />would go through the long range analysis, but he sees this property as unique and lends <br />itself to its own development within the neighborhood. Peterson said he would like to see <br />the property rezoned to B-5 but would like ',o change some of the wording within the B-5 <br />description and allowed uses now in the zoning code, i.e. removal of tobacco shops. <br />Peterson asked if there is anyone who is opposed to the project? <br />Lindquist opened the meeting to a public hearing and asked for comment.