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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 18,2001 <br /> (Baywind Christian Church,Continued) <br /> Kluth stated he has a concern if the conditions are too restrictive or are specifically targeted towards <br /> churches whether that stand up to scrutiny by a court of law. Kluth stated in order to attach specific <br /> standards to a church that are not being required of other uses in the B-4 District requires a very good <br /> reason in his opinion and needs to be able to stand up to scrutiny. <br /> Berg commented she has major concerns regarding the traffic in this area and the possibility that <br /> pedestrians will be crossing a busy street. <br /> Beestrom stated the fact that pedestrians may be crossing a street is not precedent setting and that for <br /> almost 100 years the old Grace Church had people crossing County Road 19. Beestrom stated the <br /> parking lot for the Fairview Covenant Church only accommodates 25 percent of their cars,with <br /> approximately 75 percent of the parking being located across the street. Beestrom stated the existing <br /> parking lot for this building will accommodate the majority of the cars that will travel to the <br /> church,with the majority of the traffic being on Sunday, and in his opinion is not a major problem. <br /> Berg stated she has lived in this area since 1979, and is aware of the traffic situation in the area. Berg <br /> stated the traffic going north is not as bad as the traffic going south. Berg stated she has major <br /> concerns about allowing pedestrian traffic across County Road 19. <br /> Heckal stated in his opinion, based on his conversations with other pastors in the area, a ratio of one <br /> to four persons per car is more reasonable for churches. <br /> Hawn inquired whether the Planning Commission is in favor of the performance standard requiring a <br /> 50 foot setback for all buildings from lot lines abutting a residentially zoned property. <br /> It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that this standard should be required. <br /> Hawn inquired whether the Planning Commission members were in favor of the performance <br /> standard requiring that the Applicant demonstrate that the parking requirements for the expected level <br /> of use will be met without necessitating pedestrian movement across a major thoroughfare. Hawn <br /> stated it was her understanding from Council Member Sansevere's comments that the Council has <br /> concerns that pedestrian traffic not cross County Road 19. <br /> Beestrom stated the Freshwater Institute currently utilizes the parking lot that the church will also be <br /> utilizing,with pedestrians crossing the road to get to activities being held at the Freshwater Institute. <br /> Beestrom stated that situation has been occurring for years. <br /> Hawn stated the Planning Commission is merely a recommending body to the Council,with the <br /> Council having indicated that they would prefer pedestrians not have to cross County Road 19 in <br /> order to attend functions at the church. Hawn stated the Baywind Church will need to discuss this <br /> issue with the Council. <br /> Wells commented it is hard to set policies that will be violated out of necessity. <br /> Hawn stated if that is the case,that is not an acceptable solution. <br /> PAGE 8 <br />