LA21-000017 (480 Big Island) Ex E Draft PC Min

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, March 15, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Erickson is in favor of tabling. The subject matter demands a comprehensive approach and he can think of more things to avoid than to positively strive for at this particular moment. It is a conflict subject, and they have many property owners here, each with their own view. One thing the Commission needs to remember is at the top of the pyramid of priorities for land use is the Comprehensive Plan; in looking at the Plan and many portions of the ordinances as well, the phrase “preservation of property value” comes up over and over and over again. It is a very basic part of the code. Part of that overall, they want to make sure they are not doing or suggesting anything that would detract from someone’s value, so the Commission needs to preserve whatever they can. Also, there is often a chance for improvement where property values can be improved. He said they need to be very careful how they do that, keeping in mind that there are some changes and many people are resistant to any change. However, the City is involved in some very positive changes on the east end of Big Island in improving trails, access for the handicapped, and so on. From what Erickson is hearing about these trails, one has to be pretty athletic in order to get there and as one is there they may not even know if they are on the trail or on someone else’s property. If some modest improvements were made to mark the trails and some minor grading done to make it more walkable, that would be an improvement to him but perhaps not to everyone. He thinks tabling is important. Ressler noted that was his perspective as well, this one is a little more complex and has a lot more moving parts and he is generally opposed to tabling as well. If they table, that gets them back together as a Commission before going to the City Council. Because there is a motion to deny on the table, if that passes, it would go straight to the City Council. If the Commissioners are comfortable with that, they should vote as such and if they are not, they would need to table it. McCutcheon thinks City Council wants to know as that is the Planning Commission’s job. He thinks they are all on the same page in needing to look at this holistically and where they want to go. He does not know the entire history of the island and at first glance there is a property owner who needs access to their lot, he understands that people do not want new docks in front of their lots, some of these lots are very small, and what can one really do with them. There is a history of all the different access points, and it needs to be looked at holistically to find a long-term vision of where this will be 20-30 years from now so residents do not need to keep going through the emotional – they saw what happened today – there is a lot to unpack here, the Commission should tread lightly and be cautious, and get all the data. McCutcheon would support denying it just to get it in front of the Council and go from there. Ressler asked Staff if the Council decides they want the Planning Commission to weigh in further on the issue, do they have the right or ability to do so. Curtis replied yes. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 1 (Ressler), Abstain 1 (Bollis).