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, , <br /> MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 18,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> entire site,the Environmental Assessment Worksheet allowed that section of the Big Woods to be <br /> segmented by fairways. <br /> Gaffron indicated that area was a significantly larger area of Big Woods than this site. One component of <br /> Big Woods is the fact that the dense canopy and height level of the trees restricts undergrowth. Gaffron <br /> stated the Spring Hill development has changed the nature of the Big Woods in that area as well as <br /> change the wildlife in the area due to the corridors that were created through the Big Woods. Gaffron <br /> stated there are schools of thought that feel it is very detrimental to segment Big Woods and that it is <br /> something for an environmentalist to make a recommendation on. <br /> Gaffron stated in general,when you look at areas of the City that have been developed,the City has asked <br /> developers to preserve wooded areas. Gaffron indicated this site is unique because it has wooded areas as <br /> well as an established prairie. The prairie on this site was probably Big Woods at some point in the past <br /> but was established as prairie at some point. Gaffron stated the prairie visually has some significance to <br /> the public, and that as someone enters from the west into Orono, it is the first big open field they see. <br /> Gaffron stated other than what is in the Conservation Design Analysis process, the City does not have any <br /> specific requirements preventing removal of woods outside of 75 feet of the lake. <br /> George Stickney, BPS Properties, stated back in 2007,when he last approached the City, he said the <br /> Graham Hill property was the last best property in Orono, but that this development will be even better. <br /> Stickney stated every attempt has been made to preserve the trees in this area and that his tree <br /> preservation plan is more severe than anybody else's. <br /> In addition,there is 1,832 feet of lakeshore with only seven lake lots. Stickney stated it is likely that any <br /> other developer would try to squeeze in a couple more lake lots, but that his livelihood is selling real <br /> estate and making the developments above average. Stickney indicated the average lakeshore for each lot <br /> is 262 feet and the average dry buildable is 3.06 acres and not 2-acre lots. <br /> Stickney stated there will also be an Outlot C, which wil( be a preserve area. Stickney stated in his view <br /> it is important to limit the amount of hard surface on individual lots, which is the reason for the tree <br /> preservation. <br /> Stickney indicated the street will be lighted. Stickney stated they have performed some soil borings in the <br /> first 800 feet of the road and that there is four to five and a half inches of gravel. Stickney stated he is <br /> hoping to preserve more trees along the roadway and that the lowest width is 9.5 feet, with the average <br /> being around 20 feet. Stickney stated if the City requires a 24-foot roadway, it can be 24 feet wide on the <br /> rest of the road. <br /> Stickney stated with the help of Staff, they have found the exact place for the cul-de-sac. Stickney <br /> pointed out the location of the cul-de-sac on the overhead. Stickney indicated there are five trees in that <br /> area that will need to be removed. The cul-de-sac is also 325 feet away from the northern boundary of <br /> Medina so it is not visually apparent. As a result of the cul-de-sac, three trees will be lost. There will <br /> also be a minimal amount of tree loss associated with constructed of the house. <br /> Stickney stated he is considering homes that will be 9,000 or 10,000 square feet. Stickney indicated <br /> somebody can wind through the trees with a nice circular driveway. Given the layout of the development, <br /> Page 11 of 37 <br />