05-21-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,May 21,2001 (#01-2676 BAYWIND CHRISTIAN CHURCH,CONTINUED) Stoddard stated if churches are added to the B-4 area, it would apply to all other B-4 Districts within the City. Kluth pointed out issues dealing with traffic and parking and lighting would be addressed at the time the Applicant approaches the City with a request for a conditional use permit. Heckel stated at the time they were considering purchase of the Grace Baptist Church,they had discussed parking with the previous City Administrator and they were informed at that time that they could use the municipal lot across the street. Berg stated the traffic going south on County Road 19 is more significant than the traffic going north. Smith stated at the time the Applicant requests a conditional use permit,he will need to address those concerns. Smith stated the issue before the Planning Commission tonight is whether churches should be added to the B-4 District. Stoddard commented the church would be used primarily during the evenings and on weekends,with the B-4 District being primarily businesses that operate during the day. Stoddard stated he would like more research done on the Uniform Building Code and the reasons why churches were omitted from the B-4 District. Smith stated the other uses allowed in the B-4 District, such as nursing homes, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and libraries also have weekend and evening activities to some extent. Kluth stated he personally does not have a problem with the hours of the church and other uses currently in the B-4 District. Kluth stated he would like to know what regulations the"R"District requires for churches and whether some of those regulations would be left out by adding churches to the B-4 District. Heckel stated historically in this country churches have not been associated with businesses but have usually been located in residential areas. Heckel stated in today's society, churches are becoming more dynamic and are beginning to be located in business districts. Beestrom stated he lives in this area and it is his understanding the Covenant Church near Lord Fletcher's was permitted parking on the other side of County Road 19. Beestrom stated a majority of Lord Fletches is also on the other side of County Road 19. Smith inquired whether the crossing of County Road 19 and the parking could be addressed with signage. Berg stated there is a significant amount of traffic on 15 and 19,with minimal traffic going north compared to what is going south. Berg stated the safety of any pedestrians in this area is a major concern of hers. Kluth reiterated the parking and signage is an issue to be discussed with the conditional use permit. PAGE 24