Laserfiche WebLink
MESXrrES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 <br />PL’BLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP <br />PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE <br />SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADVAVOOD ROAD <br />(#5 - Public Comments & Questions - Continued) <br />Eldon Frieze of Navarre asked for a clarification of the location for the children’s play <br />area, the parking lot. and if any expansion of the lot was expected Hessburg said the <br />architect will look at where the best location is for the play area A possibility is the <br />nonhwest section of the back side near the walk-out area There are no state <br />requirements on plav areas The shelter would be licensed through the state Schroeder <br />said the Commission looked at what standaius there were from difrerent entities but found <br />that there are no specific laws governing shelters, but because ot state tunding, there <br />would be tfuidelines to be followed Hessburit said a consultant, who is familiar with the <br />guidelir.is. has been hired to aide the shelter in meeting the guidelines Schroeder said the <br />Planning Commission would look at all areas, such as lighting, and require that there be no <br />ulare impact upo i a neighborhood, etc The kitchen operation would have a County <br />Health Department license There are also fire codes, etc to follow Hessburg said the <br />architect specializes in reconstructions ot schools and institutions and is familiar with the <br />guidelines. <br />Schroeder read a letter from John O'Sullivan, owner ot O'Sullivan's. He sees problems <br />with having a shelter at this location and prefers rezoning the area for professional or <br />business uses He wrote that the building does not meet zoning codes, and Orono is <br />limited in the number of businesses in the community' It was answered by Schroeder that <br />the site would not be rezoned commercial An owner would not be permitted to sell the <br />property in the tliture for a greater value due to rezoning. The site will stay zoned as it is <br />p.csently <br />Marilyn Renicr, neighbor on Nav arre Lane, voiced approval of the shelter She said the <br />building itself is battered and bruised and needs to be used. Peterson reported that there <br />have been manv cases of v andalism reported to the police department. <br />Richard Meyers said he thinks that this is a good commercial area. He asked if anyone <br />has ever come forward to the Planning Commission to try’ to develop it commercially. <br />Gafffon said there have been calls asking what can be done with the property People <br />have been intbrmed of the residential zoning code and w hat can be done in residential <br />areas Peterson said that this would not typically scare off a determined developer from <br />proceeding with a rezoning request Hessburg said that the property had been for sale for <br />six years, and no purchase agreement has been presented contingent on a use. He did not <br />feel that this was a booming commercial area. Schroeder said that there are two <br />commercial areas in Orono, one around the City Hall area and one in Navarre, but the City <br />has received no application for anything business-related for this site. Mabusth reported <br />that, in 1987, the City invited Navarre business owners to discuss re-development, but no <br />initiative resulted from these discussions.