03-20-2000 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 20, 2000 • (#2567 Walfred Properties, Continued) The Applicant is also proposing an eight foot wide pedestrian access to connect the Olive Avenue neighborhood to this property. The access would connect Olive Avenue to the existing sidewalk along Shadywood. The vacation of Navarre Lane would require public access through the lot via this trail. An easement for trail purposes should be granted to the City. Weinberger noted the City did agree to vacate the west half of Navarre Lane in a prior application. Weinberger stated the City of Orono would like to reserve the right to limit access for the southerly entrance/exit to a right in/out should traffic levels increase to create a public safety concern. Normally only one driveway access is allowed for a business site, with two being proposed. The circulation pattern for the current plan is quite similar to the earlier plans and is expected to accommodate the drive-through. Weinberger stated a conditional use permit is required for grading on the property within five feet of the lot lines. The grading plan indicates the pond and some grading will occur off site. The Applicants will need to obtain the appropriate easements that would permit off site use. City Staff has some concerns with the unresolved grading issues, especially the pond size and location, with additional information needing to be submitted by the Applicant. Staff is recommending the application be tabled to allow the engineering issues to be resolved. Tom Reinen, Project Architect, indicated they have modified the parking plan to include an additional nine parking stalls. Reinen noted the proposed building will be constructed out of brick. Bob Weigert, Project Engineer, stated they have revised their plans as it relates to the pond to allow for more water runoff storage, and in their opinion the size of the pond is now adequate to meet the water runoff demands for this area. Weigert stated they are willing to relocate the utilities out of the wetland area if required. John Ericson, 1620 Shadywood Road, inquired about the location of the sidewalk. Weinberger stated the sidewalk would be located along the edge of the parking lot near the retaining wall, which will allow for safe pedestrian traffic to this site. Ericson stated he is in support of the application, noting he would like to see this site improved. Chad Nilsson, 3324 Navarre Lane, inquired about the hours of operation for the drive-through. Wally Klus, Walfred Properties, indicated the hours of operation will be until 10:00 p.m. Klus stated they will be installing shielded lighting. Andy McDermott, Chairman of the Park Commission, indicated the Commission has expressed interest in the past in retaining a portion of Navarre Lane to provide for easy access to this area. McDermott stated he would prefer the path not deadend into Olive Avenue as well as provide access up to the intersection in this area. McDermott stated in his personal opinion he would like to see the existing building removed. McDermott expressed some concerns regarding the size and height of the building, noting that it is located close to a residential area. McDermott suggested the building be relocated closer to Culver's as well as some of the proposed parking eliminated. McDermott stated the people who • would frequent this building would do so on a short-term basis, and if the use of the building should Page 6