02-02-1994 Planning Work Session

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANT^'G COMMISSION WORK SESSIONVVTDNTSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994 Parking and trattic were also brought up as issues with fishing tournaments. Richard iAnderson observed that many of the B-2 zone uses on the entire list had so far been discussed in the conte.xt of impact on parking, and noted that the entire Maxwell Bay area and the area westward to include the North ^Arm Landing, have a significant parking problem already. Schroeder ind'cated that, indeed, a number ot marina problems manifest themselves in parking problems. He suggested it is not the City’s intent to control the marinas by squeezing down on parking, but to find a sensible way for the mannas to operate while still being good neighbors. Rowlette added that parking capability' will in itself make some of the decisions as to what uses are appropriate or not. Gaffron questioned whether fishing tournaments were an appropriate use when located directly adjacent to residential properties. Schroeder suggested that they might be if properly controlled through the permitting process. Gaffron noted that the LMCD issues fishing tournament permits, and that an assembly permit reviewed by the Orono Police Department is generally required. Planning Commission agreed that such a "special activity- permit" was more appropriate than making fishing tournaments a conditional use which would require Planning Commission review for each event. Rowlette asked Gaffron to provide additional information on LMCD and City' codes regarding fishing tournaments for the next meeting. Don Peterson suggested that if the City' regulates fishing tournaments at marinas, it should also regulate them at public landings. Schroeder concluded the fishing tournament discussion by suggesting that it not be accepted on the list of allowed uses yet pending further information and discussion. Schroeder asked for discussion regarding the next listed item, sale of prepackaged foods. Gary DeSantis indicated he would like to put in a coffee/expresso machine at Sailors World, providing a coffee service to commuters in order to generate some winter income. Richie .Anderson added that there was no intent to provide anything other than pre-packaged type foods. Gaffron noted that the code currently allows sale of pre-packaged foods as a conditional use. and that to his knowledge currently the marinas typically have a coffee pot and provide pre-packaged snack foods for their slip customers, but that a food or coffee operation expressly intended to bring in commuter traffic was a different concept entirely. Smith cautioned that this could easily expand to a brunch^Iunch operation. Richie .Anderson suggested that this use might be a fair trade-off for reducing or eliminating winter boat storage. Smith fell it was important to distinguish between a use that provide*' an additional amenity to existing customers as opposed to a new use to attract new customers not already taking advantage of something that occurs on the site. Rowlette reiterated that in her opinion it would be beneficial to the City to allow marinas opportunities for year-round business activity to generate income that will keep them viable, and therefore more able to deal with the City’s historic concerns such as landscaping, screening, etc. Rowlette requested that Gaffron provide code sections and information on restaurant vs. non-restaurant food operations for the next meeting. This is even more attractive