Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Wednesday,January 17, 2001 <br /> (#2653 Craig Alshouse, Continued) <br /> their options on how to best maintain the rural character of this area, maintain the accessory <br /> buildings, and be compatible with the surrounding residential areas. Staff had discussed the <br /> possibility of using the property as a community horse fann, which the Applicant has determined <br /> would not be successful. <br /> Alshouse stated he is interested in developing a development that will work well with the <br /> site and the surrounding area. Alshouse stated the previous owner of the property purchased <br /> it in 1971,and erected the 10,000 square foot arena at that time on seven acres of land for the <br /> purpose of boarding horses. Presently there is a commercial license under a conditional use <br /> permit for the purpose of boarding horses for the public. Alshouse commented there have been <br /> a number of problems experienced with this operation such as parking along Watertown Road. <br /> Alshouse stated the lot to the north was subsequently combined with the seven acre lot, with the <br /> existing residence being rented out at this time. <br /> Alshouse stated the goal of this project is to create five or six lots over the 36 acres in order to <br /> help maintain the rural chracter of the area. An interior private road would be created on the <br /> lower area to access this development, with some consideration being given to shortening the <br /> length of the cul-de-sac. Alshouse stated they will be eliminating a number of the other <br /> outbuildings on the property, and are contemplating clustering the residences towards the top of <br /> the ridge. Alshouse stated in his opinion the development they are proposing is in keeping with <br /> the character of the zoning ordinances and the neighborhood. <br /> Berg inquired whether the developer prefers Option 1 or Option 2. <br /> Alshouse stated he prefers Option 1 due to marketing. Alshouse stated if he goes with Option 2, <br /> he would be forced to increase the price of the houses due to the smaller number of lots that would be <br /> for sale. <br /> Gaffron stated he likes the concept plan, but in his opinion the future use of the accessory <br /> building should be limited. <br /> Mabusth suggested the future owner of that lot be told the barn is non-conforming. <br /> Bellows stated she prefers Option 2 over Option 1 because it prefers a little bit more of the <br /> larger lot and provides more land for the indoor riding arena. Bellows stated the City needs to be <br /> careful about preserving this area, but the City needs to be careful about placing too many <br /> restrictions on the future use of the structure. <br /> Alshouse stated he will be re-appearing before the Planning Commission in March with a preliminary <br /> plat and that he is looking for some direction from the Planning Commission on whether the <br /> accessory buildings can remain and the basic layout of the development. <br /> Kluth stated personally he does not see any major problems with the proposal. <br /> Bellows stated the City may be limited in the type of restrictions it can place on this property and <br /> the accessory building since it was originally constructed on a seven acre piece of land. <br /> PAGE 29 <br />