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' MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,July 20,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit stated in his view it is best not to grant variances on a new development but that it is not clear <br /> what should be adjusted to make it better. <br /> Gaffron stated the only question that he would like strong confirmation on is the width of the road. <br /> Gaffron stated in his opinion 30 feet is overkill and that there are reasons for a 28-foot width. Gaffron <br /> stated the ability to save trees was the same justification used on Kintyre to have a narrower road, and that <br /> unless the fire department has an issue with the narrower road, he is okay with the 24 or 26 feet. <br /> Lemke stated he would like to see the road as wide as possible, with 26 feet being the minimum given the <br /> fact that there might be some parking on the street. <br /> Schwingler stated based on the longer driveways, on street parking is not as much of a concern,but that <br /> there will be construction traffic on the new road as well as Kintyre Lane. <br /> Bollis stated in his view there is an additional six trees that could be saved with the 24-foot road. Bollis <br /> pointed out the wider the road is,the faster people tend to drive on it, and that he would be in favor of the <br /> 24-foot width to keep it consistent. Bollis noted Kintyre Lane is 24 feet wide. <br /> Schwingler stated consistency is good from an aesthetic point of view. <br /> Schoenzeit stated as far as the road width, with two acre lots,there should be sufficient driveway and <br /> turnaround space to accommodate guests. <br /> Thiesse stated there are trees and safety issues but that there are also road standards and they should not <br /> be approving a narrow road simply to have a narrower road. Thiesse stated in his view 24 feet is fine and <br /> that he has more concerns about the existing cul-de-sac. <br /> Schwingler indicated he is in agreement with that. <br /> Bollis stated a City Council resolution approved in 2006 talks specifically in Paragraph 6 about this land <br /> and the fact that they would like to see a 24-foot road width. Potential numbers of homes to be ultimately <br /> served by the private road is more than six. Because the road outlot will extend to the north property <br /> boundary to allow for future road connection for development of the next property immediately to the <br /> north, it would be appropriate to limit the paved road width to 24 instead of the normally required 28 feet <br /> far seven or more homes if it can be shown that the existing trees that enhance the wooded backdrop can <br /> be preserved. Bollis stated in his view they are talking about the trees in the area near the proposed road. <br /> Gaffron pointed out the area of the wooded backdrop that the resolution is discussing. Gaffron noted he <br /> handled that application ten years ago. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the road should be kept at 24 feet for consistency since it will help keep the traffic <br /> slower provided there are no fire marshal objections. Schoenzeit stated the road issue should be a part of <br /> the recommendation by the Planning Commission and that perhaps there needs to be a review of the roads <br /> in the entire area to address safety concerns. <br /> Thiesse asked if Commissioner Schoenzeit is looking for coordination of the roads and cul-de-sac or an <br /> existing agreement with the homeowners association. <br /> Page 13 of 25 <br />