11-09-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 9, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) Libby stated this is a project that is becoming less and less feasible, very ill-conceived, and should not be approved at all. Libby stated in his view this is a nature preserve area and that there is substantial habitat in the area. Libby stated he hopes this Council is sensitive to environmental concerns and habitat. Libby noted there are giant woodpeckers and four species of owl that live in the area. Libby stated he hopes in the future the Council gets a better and more conscientious plan from the developer instead of the misdirection and misinformation that is being provided in order to gain approval. Leonard Dayton, 1980 Heritage Drive, noted he is not a member of the Foxhill homeowners association but that he attended a meeting last night of the association. Dayton stated he found his neighbors are astute, wise folks with clear thinking that are directing his neighborhood in this discussion. Dayton stated his question really has to do with procedure. Dayton stated it is his understanding there is a 120 -day application period for the initial application and that he understands Mr. Steadman has requested a 60 -day extension of the application. Dayton asked whether the 120 days has been extended to 180 days. McMillan indicated it has been. Senior Planner Gaffron indicated it has been extended from November 19 to January 18 Dayton stated he is assuming Mr. Steadman is requesting that extension to have time to develop a thoughtful response to the residents' opposition and what has been brought to the table. Gaffron stated his expectation is that he will be prepared to respond in two weeks from tonight. Dave Ziegler, 1180 Heritage Lane, stated the Council should consider the long-term development of this parcel and that it is likely the Jacobs' house will be torn down and developed at some point. Ziegler stated it does not make sense to go through Heritage Lane, remove a number of trees and fill in a wetland. Ziegler stated it would make more sense to use the alternate road being proposed by the residents' engineer, which would only require the removal of one tree. McMillan noted the application will be before the Council again in two weeks. Sheridan Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road, stated in her view the City Council is very wrong. Nygard noted she is Jay Nygard's daughter and that the Orono City Council has affected her life and her childhood. Nygard stated the actions by the City against her father have been going on since 2010 and that she was 12 when this started, which is an important developmental age. Nygard indicated she is now 17. Nygard stated it was really hard for her when her dad was not there for her because he was in disputes with the City and that he missed events like sports and other activities. Nygard stated the City separated a father from his child over a buried slab of concrete in the ground for four days. Nygard stated she would also like the Council to know that they have their own problems as a family, such as her brother having a traumatic brain injury. Nygard stated the City is only making the situation worse and that there is an overwhelming amount of support from around the world that her father has generated. Nygard read a number of comments her father has received. Nygard stated she would like the Council to reflect on whether they have received mail like this. Page 8 of 24