06-18-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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r I MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,June 18,2001 (Baywind Christian Church,Continued) Berg commented the church would be drawing parishioners from other areas outside of Orono as well. Heckal stated the congregation of the church at the present time consists of approximately 90 adults, with the remaining being young children,and would result in approximately 50 cars on a Sunday. Wells pointed out most people who travel to an office building tend to be by themselves. Wells stated the heaviest amount of traffic to the church would also occur on a Sunday morning when the other businesses are not open for business. Greg Metz stated the parking setback for B-4 is ten feet off the property line to an adjacent residence, with office parking lots typically being 75 percent full the majority of the time. Metz stated the church's parking lot would remain fairly empty for the majority of the time. Metz stated he is unclear why the parking standards for the church would be more stringent than the parking requirements for other businesses within the B-4 District. Hawn commented it was her understanding that Staff had a concern that the 10 foot setback was not sufficient for office use as well as churches. Hawn stated regardless of whether cars are parking in the lot or not,the adjoining property owner is forced to look at blacktop 100 percent of the time. Metz noted there is a requirement for landscaping along the perimeter of the property. Metz inquired whether the parking lot standard would be changed for all uses within the B-4 District. Hawn stated they are just looking at churches at this time. Hawn stated church use within the B-4 District would be an exception,with the Planning Commission reviewing at this time what standards would be appropriate. Mabusth noted there are given standards for every use within the B-4, including institutional uses. Mabusth stated the church would be required to follow those B-4 standards unless the Planning Commission waives one of the standards. There were no public comments regarding this application. Hawn noted she was not present at the last Planning Commission meeting when this application was discussed. Hawn inquired whether the church intends this to become a permanent location or is a temporary location. Wells stated the Baywind Church serves the community and has a substantial positive financial impact to the local businesses in the area. Wells stated their pastor also works with the other churches in the community. Wells stated due to their present location,they have experienced a loss in membership. Wells stated they are looking at relocating in this area in an effort to recoup those lost members,with this building being an interim location until they are able to construct a new church. Wells stated in a few years they would like to sell this property as commercial property and build a new church. Wells noted finding a new location in Orono will not be easy since the majority of the residential property is not PAGE 6