Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 8, 2010 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> Page 9 of 20 <br /> <br />(6. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) <br /> <br />LaQuey stated he did not say that the sprinkler system was not up to code but that there are some fire <br />safety concerns with the building. In addition, there may be some patients at the facility who are <br />immobile. The fire department has not been trained to deal with hospitals and patients. <br /> <br />Murphy pointed out Mr. LaQuey has raised some issues that are potential or possible and that the City <br />Council is going to look very carefully at all valid issues. Murphy expressed doubt that this facility will <br />have a negative cascading impact on the property valuations throughout the City. <br /> <br />LaQuey indicated he did not say that and limited his comments to the surrounding properties. <br /> <br />Murphy stated that was implied by Mr. LaQuey. <br /> <br />White stated Mr. LaQuey has made his points and that he would like to hear from the other residents in <br />the audience. White concurred with Council Member Murphy that the building is not a fire hazard and <br />that it is sprinkled. White asked whether Mr. LaQuey has been inside the building in recent years. <br /> <br />Mr. LaQuey indicated he has been in the neighborhood in recent years and inside the building when he <br />was younger. LaQuey noted the windows are rotting and that expanding foam sealant has been used to <br />seal the windows. <br /> <br />White noted that type of sealant is used in a number of buildings, including the City’s Public Works <br />Building, and that Mr. LaQuey is incorrect in his assertions that the building has not been maintained and <br />is a fire hazard. <br /> <br />Mike Maddie, 2150 Prospect Avenue, stated in his view the Emily Program’s charter is exceptional but <br />that the neighbors do have some anxiety over this facility. Maddie stated his concern relates to the <br />proximity of the building to the neighboring residences and that he is unsure what the purpose is of the <br />100-foot setback for hospitals but noted the conditional use permit overrides that. <br /> <br />Maddie indicated his primary concern deals with the fact that another medical facility can move into this <br />structure if the Emily Program leaves, and that he is also worried about the stigma there may be with <br />having a psychiatric facility in their neighborhood. Maddie commented he hopes the program is <br />exceptional but that the residents do have a concern regarding the use of the property. <br /> <br />Maddie asked whether there will be parking on the street to accommodate visitors. <br /> <br />Sheri Danielson, stated she is the parent of two girls and that she is the new president of the French Creek <br />Homeowners Association and she has been given permission to speak on their behalf. Danielson <br />indicated she only became aware of the Emily Program at the end of January when she was forwarded an <br />e-mail that had been forwarded a number of times from Melissa Maddie. She has read the documents on <br />the City’s website regarding this application and noticed that only fifteen actual residents were listed as <br />being notified by the City in December. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 02/22/2010 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 02/08/2010 [Page 9 of 20]