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MINOTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNI1vG COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 15,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> All six lots will be accessed via a private road contained within a 50-foot outlot and ending in a cul-de- <br /> sac. All lots are proposed to be served with private wells and septic systems. The driveway for Lot 1 <br /> does not meet the required 100-foot separation from th intersection of Lillian Lane and Old Crystal Bay <br /> Road. The proposed private road serving the subdivision is centrally located and approximately 970 feet <br /> in length, which meets the City's 1000-foot maximum length limit for cul-de-sac roads. The road design <br /> has been reviewed by the City Engineer and found to be acceptable. . <br /> It has been past City practice to provide corridors for future connections between private road systems <br /> where feasible in Orono's rural area. The reasoning is that if private roads become public in the future, <br /> City maintenance will be more efficient and cost effective with through roads as compared to multiple <br /> cul-de-sacs. <br /> A second benefit is the ability to have secondary emergency accesses to property should there be <br /> blockage from downed trees, etc. The applicants have not provided such a corridor, and while there may <br /> be some desire on the City's part to establish a connection to the west or south,there is no code mandate <br /> that this occur. Staff is prepared to discuss the pros and cons of such connections. It appears that in order <br /> to make such a connection,the applicant would lose one lot. <br /> The developer has submitted a Conservation Design Report and Master Plan. In general,the development <br /> will maintain the rural character consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. Wetlands and drainage <br /> patterns will be maintained, and long views into the site will not be significantly disrupted. A vegetation <br /> management plan lists a variety of actions to be taken with regard to wetland buffer areas, buckthorn, and <br /> reed canary grass. The majority of the site is open and will remain as is. <br /> Gaffron noted a landscape plan has not been included in the packet. One of the City requirements is that <br /> on the boulevards there be a tree located every 40 feet. Within the last couple of years,the City Council <br /> has looked at similar plats with a long road and was not excited about trying to create a parkway concept <br /> similar to what exists on Kelly Parkway. The Council's conclusion was that that does not necessarily <br /> create the rural character the City would like. The applicant has provided a landscape plan that provides <br /> some variety. The Planning Commission should review the landscape plan and determine whether it is <br /> reasonable. <br /> The Planning Commission should discuss the following issues: <br /> 1. The potential for making road corridor connections to the west or south. <br /> 2. The developer should be made aware that City determinations of building height and number of <br /> stories rely on the use of existing grades. It would be of benefit to the developer to confer with <br /> Staff regarding the potential benefits of establishing new existing grades on certain lots by <br /> creating building pads during the site improvements grading process. <br /> 3. The Planning Commission should review the Conservation Design materials and determine <br /> whether there are any potential concerns. <br /> Staff recommends approval, subject to the following: <br /> 1. Applicant should be advised to address the items detailed in the City Engineer's comments. <br /> Page 31 of 53 <br />