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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 12, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 37 9. #15-3774 MICHAEL STEADMAN ON BEHALF OF IRWIN JACOBS, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT (continued) Gronberg stated it is a great idea but that they may need some type of firetruck turnaround. Gronberg stated in his view they could possibly save some of the bigger trees but that there would still need to be some ponding and culverts. Gronberg stated the goal is to keep it under the 1,000 foot exemption. McMillan stated as far as the sewer connections, she would let Staff work that issue out and provide the City Council with a couple of options. Levang stated if that cul-de-sac is eliminated, some temporary surface parking could be created for the construction vehicles. McMillan asked what the Council feels about the construction. Walsh stated he would like to hear from the neighbors. McMillan noted the City Council does have the minutes from the Planning Commission on this item, and if the public would like to make some comments, she would ask that they limit it to items they have not already addressed. Steven Byrnes, 1025 Heritage Lane, stated he is the president of the Foxhill Homeowners Association, and that the residents have been in communication with Mr. Steadman for a number of months regarding this development. Byrnes stated he represents the three homes in the neighborhood and that there are three more homes that have also weighed in on this development that do not belong to the homeowners association. Byrnes stated they do not oppose the development of the lots but that their opposition comes from the impact and intrusion of the construction traffic. Byrnes noted he had an opportunity to discuss this application with Mr. Steadman and Council Member Walsh this afternoon and that their concern relates basically to the construction of the homes. Byrnes stated the street is only 24 feet wide and that in their views there are some ways to mitigate this. Byrnes stated their number one concern is safety and that turning right or left out onto County Road 15 is dangerous at any time of the day. Byrnes noted there are 16 children that live in the neighborhood and attend school. Byrnes stated it is important the school bus is able to safely get in and out of their neighborhood and that the residents would ask the Council to look at other options as it relates to the construction traffic. Dan Hoffman, 1135 Heritage Lane, stated the elimination of one of the cul-de-sacs makes a lot of sense and would help to save a lot of trees. Hoffman stated the residents wish there was a way to have an access road through Jacobs’ property, which has been explored by the developer, but that it might be possible to have others not associated with the development look at the property. Hoffman stated in hi s view they could find a route that does not have too much grade, but that he is not sure that route will be found if that person is employed by the developer. Hoffman stated it would be nice to have an independent engineer look at it.