07-16-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,July 16,2001 (#01-2694 Baywind Christian Church,Continued) portion of the first floor will be used by the church for Christian education, with the remainder to be used as professional office space which will be leased back to the current owner. Bottenberg stated that the building setback from a residential district of 50' is met. The site plan meets the required 54 parking spaces, which is one space for each four seats in the sanctuary. The church also has an agreement with the Freshwater Biological Institute to use the parking lot for overflow purposes. The City may want to look at putting in a sidewalk along Shadywood Road to gain parking without having to cross Shadywood Road. The church's primary use is Sunday morning services, and for the most part will have different hours than the business activities occupying the building. Bottenberg stated that the Fire Marshall has reviewed the parking plan and has no objections to the plan or with emergency vehicle access. The parking spaces meet the required 10' setback from the rear yard. The church entrance/exit is on Shadywood Road, meeting the required access onto a collector street. The B-4 performance standards for lot width, setbacks and building height have been met. A signage plan has not been submitted, but the allowed signage is 1 s.f. per foot of lot width, not over 50 s.f. There are no issues with grading and drainage on the site. A plan should be submitted indicating the location and screening of trash receptacles. A lighting plan should also be submitted. A single family home is located to the rear of the property, immediately adjacent to a parking area. Vegetation exists but it will lose its leaves in the winter. An evergreen hedge or one that would have leaf on year round would provide more screening to the residential property. Heckel stated that the church doesn't need 252 s.f. for signage. The existing sign won't change. Smith asked about the lighting plan. Heckel responded that the existing lighting will be sufficient for their needs. Welles stated that one change to the building would be to add a handicap ramp. Hawn asked about the refuse area. Welles replied that the existing area that is occasionally used for a dumpster is adjacent to the loading dock and is somewhat screened by vegetation. Lindquist confirmed that the Planning Commission was approving a conditional use permit for the church use in the B-4 zoning district and verifying that the church meets all the conditions of the B-4 district. PAGE 13