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MTSXTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SKSSION <br />MXDN'ESDAY, reSRl ARY 23. I9W <br />AiKicrson noted that Sailors World supports 12 children and their activities and they uani to give <br />back to the community. Tl»y have sponsored a baseball team, coached luKkey and baseball, <br />and have been instrumental in building a rink aixl baseball field. He does not want to be a <br />marina operati>r that the City feels they have to micro manage. He wants flexibility to be an <br />entrepreneur and make his own decision aK>ut dealership opptmunilies. <br />Peterson noted that snowmobile manufacturers want to have a full line of their products sold by <br />dealers, including clothing and water bikes. <br />Schroeder explained there is a reluctance by the City to permit marinas new u.ses because of past <br />problems caused by a few operators. Tte City is trying to make marinas better neighbors by <br />getting better screening, side setbacks and a little more "green" between the parking lot and the <br />lake. <br />Anderson agreed that on paper it looks like the City is trying to make these improvements. <br />However, even though it looks like additional uses are being added, Christmas trees and <br />snowmobiles have been sold in the past at marinas Peterson added that most of the marinas have <br />been operating mainly as marinas. Nolan commented that just because an operator may have <br />"gotten away with it" five years ago doesn ’t mean it should be allowed today. <br />Schroeder stated that, regrettably, marinas have flaunted the setback and hardcover issues for <br />a long time. Peterson compared ordinances for individual homeowners, such as cutting down <br />trees at the shoreline, that were allowed 20 years ago but not ttxlay. Ordinances are modified <br />for individual property owners just as they are for marinas. <br />Schrt)eder continued that it seems what the public wants is for marinas to provide traditional <br />marina activities. Berg added that a marina is a seasonal business. When it is purchased, the <br />owner should consider it as such. <br />Anderson responded that in the 1993 license application for North Shore Drive Marina, for <br />which money had been received, Christmas tree sales were listed as a use. Gaffron explained <br />this was an application that North Shore Drive Marina wanted the City to accept but in the <br />licen.se that was granted, there was no discussion of whether or not Christmas tree sales would <br />be allowed. <br />Anderson compared O’Sullivan ’s to a marina. There was a time when a gas station would not <br />have been considered a convenience store. At the present time, the cof fee idea at Sailors World <br />seems to be a nice fit. Schroeder considered a convenience store a logical extension of a gas <br />station.