06-09-1986 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning File #1.020 June 5, 1.986 Page 2 of 3 The plan presented to you now is the result of the work of the Advisory Committee. The Park District has applied for a conditional use permit for the Park improvements, even though "public -owned parks" are a Permitted use in the LR-lA . ning District in which Noerenberg Park is located. It has been the on -going policy of the City of. Orono to require a conditional use permit for Noerenberg because its use has been and will continue to be perhaps less passive than that of the typical un-staffed municipal nark or playground found in Orono. Also, a small var.ance for hardcover in the 0-75' setback zone is requested. The Planning Commission was asked to review the Master Plain proposal, and found in general that the land use issues of hardcover, drainage, access, utilities, landscaping and scr-ening were all well- addret=sed in the Master Plan. However, some Planning Commission member:- felt that the visitor center and the 50-car parking lot would `ead to an intensification of the use of the park greater than they f,:.t was warranted, hence, the Planning Commission voted 4-2 to re,c,--u,-end rejection of the concept of the visitor center and parking lot. The Planning Commission made no findings of fact nor did they references any ccde 6ection in meking this rec( mendation. Frum the meetings staff has geld with the Park District representatives, staff feels that the anticipated ust ` the park will not be as intersive as percei•.•?d by the rlanning Commission. The park is intended t-) be residential in nature, a low-key use with improvements inct.ided to provide - tter facility for current users, mainly garden clubs, student grou.s, and weddings. Note that although the Planning ,ommis-io felt that a 50-car parking lot is "over'All", t. - park real: y has r.,. parking facility to speak of now, and incurs continuing maintenanc- costs in repairing their grassy field parking area as it now exits. Note that the visitor center is intended tc include: - A classroom %, ; tl, maximum capacity of 80 (typical expected to be 40-50) inter,-ed as a place to learn about the unique aspects of the park nri.ot to touring the grourds. - A "reception" area for floral and interpretive displays, with d small area for selling books, *naps, and art related to the park. Note that the park, as part of the requirements of the will, may sell no food on the premises, and no weddi- 3 receptions may be hell on the premises. The restroom area provided is slightly oversized to allow for weddings p�rties to do final makeup touch up, etc. - An office area is provided for the park stagy., and a garden maintenance area completes the visitor center. Note that all the above functions have previously been done out o- the garage on the property, which will be removed.