04-17-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOL'RTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD (#5 - Public Comments & Questions - Continued) Eldon Frieze of Navdiic asked for a clarification of the location for the children ’s play area, the parking lot, and it am' expansion of the lot was expected Hessburg said the architect will look at where the best location is for the play area .A possibility is the northwest section of the back side near the w alk-out area There are no state rer^uirements on plav areas The shelter would be licensed through the state Schroeder said the Commission looked at what standards there were tfom dirt'erent entities but found that there are no specific laws governing shelters, but because of state funding, there would be guidelines to be followed Hessburg said a consultant, wIk* is familiar with the guidelines, has been hired to aide the shelter in meeting the guidelines Schroeder said the Planning Commission would look at all areas, such as lighting, and require that there be no glare impact upon a neighborhood, etc The kitchen operation would have a County- Health Department license. There are also fire codes, etc. to follow Hessburg said the architect specializes in reconstructions of schools and institutions and is familiar with the guidelines. Schroeder read a letter from John O'SiiHivan, owner of OSullivans. He sees problems with having a shelter at this location and prefers rezoning the area for professional or business uses He wrote that the building does not meet zoning codes, and Orono is limited in the number of businesses in the community It was answered by Schroeder that the site would not be rezoned commercial An owner would not be permitted to sell the property in the future for a greater value due to rezoning. The site will stay zoned as it is presently Marilyn Renter, neighbor on Navarre Lane, voiced approval of the shelter. Sne said the building itself is battered and bruised and needs to be used. Peterson reported that there have been many cases of vandalism reported to the police department. Richard Meyers said he thinks that this is a good commercial area. He asked if anyone has ever come forward to the Planning Commission to try- to develop it commercially. Gaffron said there have been calls asking what can be done with the property People have been inf ormed of the residential zoning code and what can be done in residential areas. Peterson said that this would not typically scare off a determined developer from proceeding with a rezoning request Hessburg said that the property had been for sale for six years, and no purchase agreement has been presented contingent on a use. He did not feel that this was a booming commercial area. Schroeder said that there are two commercial areas in Orono, one around the City Hall area and one in Navarre, but the City has received no application for anything business-related for this site. Mabusth reported that, in 1987, the City invited Navarre business owners to discuss re-development, but no ir:itiative resulted from these discussions. I