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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, November 22, 2010 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> Page 7 of 14 <br /> <br />(8. #10-3493 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3745 SHORELINE DRIVE, <br />Continued) <br /> <br />Carlson commented they would like to be respectful neighbors and asked whether the two uses are <br />compatible. Carlson noted the plan shows the land going all the way out to Casco Point Road and asked <br />whether that land is useable. <br /> <br />Owen indicated that land is primarily wetland and that they have located their project on as much high <br />ground as possible. Owen noted the inurnment garden is as far away from the building and County Road <br />15 as possible. Owen pointed out there are heavy woods between the adjoining property and the <br />inurnment garden. <br /> <br />Carlson distributed some pictures to the Council. <br /> <br />Owen pointed out that the gray line on Picture No. 2 is the roofline of the Zachman residence. <br /> <br />Carlson stated he did take a picture of the middle of the inurnment area from his property and his <br />residence is very apparent. During the wintertime his residence is clearly visible from the church <br />property. There is a canopy of very large trees on the church property but that does nothing to abate the <br />sight line from their property. From the corner of the private driveway, you can still see all the way back <br />in there. The area is somewhat screened but the screening at eye level has been done by Ms. Zachman. <br />The church is not proposing to do anything as far as screening and there is limited foliage for eight <br />months of the year. <br /> <br />Carlson indicated they have a letter from their realtor. The house is currently on the market and the <br />realtor feels their property value will be negatively impacted by this. Carlson commented he is not sure <br />whether he would want to live next to a cemetery or an inurnment garden and that they did not purchase a <br />residence that was next to a cemetery or an inurnment garden. <br /> <br />Carlson stated at the very least they would like to know why Good Shepherd is avoiding the Planning <br />Commission and coming straight to the City Council. They would also like some additional screening <br />and that they are really not in favor of the project at all, particularly since Good Shepherd is not proposing <br />anything as far as screening. Both parties will want privacy and they do not want to feel like they are <br />intruding. <br /> <br />Owen pointed out in the wintertime they will not be having any inurnments, but that it is possible there <br />will be one or two in the early spring or late fall. Good Shepherd’s intention has been to screen their <br />project from their parking lot and that they thought they were screened well enough from the adjoining <br />properties. Owen indicated they are willing to provide additional screening. <br /> <br />McMillan asked how the church would feel about noises coming from the adjoining properties. <br /> <br />Owen indicated they would understand that aspect and that the average inurnment ceremony would only <br />last approximately 20 minutes. <br /> <br />Pastor Davis stated the outdoor inurnment ceremonies are five to ten minutes long. Their back yard is <br />currently being used now for worship services and the children play out there. There are many more <br />activities that are closer to the Zachman residence than the inurnment garden. If there is noise coming <br /> <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 12/13/2010 <br />Aprpoval of Council Minutes 11/22/2010 [Page 7 of 14]