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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 26, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 23 10. #15-3774 MICHAEL STEADMAN ON BEHALF OF IRWIN JACOBS, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT – REVIEW CUL-DE-SAC ALTERNATIVES (continued) Council Member Walsh stated from a plat standpoint, it makes sense to have the cul-de-sac at the end but that he is not sure if the neighborhood would like to retain the other cul-de-sac. Walsh commented it would be nice to have the extra room in the street because kids sometimes play in a cul-de-sac. Michael Steadman, on behalf of Irwin Jacobs, stated they are interested in doing whatever the City feels is appropriate. Steadman stated if the original cul-de-sac is approved, he would recommend having temporary parking as well. If a bus is attempting to turn around and there are construction vehicles there, that may be an issue. As a result, the Council may want to consider any work to the existing cul-de-sac be done at a later time. McMillan stated there are pros and cons with each option. McMillan asked if there are any neighbors that would like to comment on the application. A resident in the audience noted that Steve Brynes, president of the homeowners association, is out of town and that is why he is not present tonight. The resident stated he is not a member of the homeowners association and cannot speak for them. McMillan asked how long the driveways will be with the new cul-de-sac. Mark Gronberg, Surveyor, indicated they will be approximately 400 feet long and that there will most likely be circular drives at each of the homes. McMillan stated if the original cul-de-sac is not removed, that is okay, but noted that a cul-de-sac in the middle of the road is not a playground area since there will be traffic going through there. Walsh stated he was not saying it was okay. McMillan stated a few people have made that comment to her and that she just wants to make sure the Council is not promoting that. McMillan stated she is torn with having more bus traffic going northwest in the new cul-de-sac since it might be more impactful to the neighbors but that she can understand why Staff would like the cul-de-sac to end where it does. Levang asked if the applicant’s proposal would be that during the construction phrase the existing cul-de- sac would be expanded to handle the bus traffic. Levang asked if that would be a safer alternative. Levang stated currently it is problematic as Mr. Libby demonstrated in his video. Levang asked if they would be expanding that and later removing that. Steadman stated they would be open to that as well, particularly if it creates a safer situation at the end of the cul-de-sac. Walsh stated that underscores the issue with the construction traffic. Walsh noted one of the neighbors on the side of the existing cul-de-sac has a very large old tree and that Mr. Libby has some retaining walls.