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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 15,2002 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#02-2771 Orono Ambar,Continued) <br /> Hawn inquired whether there were any public comments relating to this application. <br /> Scott Mabusth, 740 Brown Road North, expressed a concern about the amount of dirt that has been <br /> dropped into their gutter and onto their boulevard,noting that this proposal calls for the hauling of even <br /> more dirt. Mabusth requested that other alternatives be considered for the removal of the fill. <br /> Mike Shrack, 2004 Sugarwood Drive, stated he has a concern with the height of the building, noting he <br /> had the impression from the first phase that this would be a low-rise structure,which is not the case. <br /> Shrack commented the additional senior housing building is even higher than the first building, which <br /> was not what he had envisioned when he purchased the property. Shrack stated in his opinion this is not <br /> a good use of this property. <br /> Jacqueline Ritz, 2108 Sugarwood Drive, indicated she was aware this property was commercial at the <br /> time they purchased the property, but that she does object to the height of both buildings. Ritz stated <br /> she is opposed to a third story building since there are no other three-story buildings in Orono. <br /> Randy Hogan, 2103 Sugarwood Drive, expressed a concern regarding the height of the building, noting <br /> they were told in the first phase that this would be a low-rise office building. Hogan stated the <br /> developer at that time told the City and residents that this project would only work with an office <br /> building, with no talk of an additional senior housing building. <br /> Hogan stated he has had an opportunity to review the plans for this proposal, noting that the building <br /> would be approximately 70 feet above the road, 100 feet above the intersection, and would look like a <br /> citadel. <br /> Hogan commented in his view the current building is not being built according to the spirit of the plan, <br /> noting that the residents were informed the trees would be protected along Sugarwood, which is not the <br /> case. Hogan stated a large number have been removed. Hogan stated this development has changed the <br /> whole feel of the area and character of the Sugarwood neighborhood. <br /> Roger Olson, 2114 Sugarwood Drive, stated he had the understanding the original building would be <br /> one story near the residential area and then increase. Olson stated he thought the building would be cut <br /> further down into the hill, which is not the case. Olson stated the proposal to construct a second <br /> building on top of the hill will only make the situation worse. <br /> Rick Apple, 2101 Sugarwood Drive, expressed a concern regarding the height of the two buildings. <br /> Apple stated this development is different than what they were informed of originally. <br /> Dunbar stated to his knowledge the building has been built exactly to the engineer specifications that <br /> were presented to the City. Dunbar stated he regrets that there is a sense that they have done something <br /> different than what was approved by the City. Dunbar acknowledged that some trees were removed on <br /> the north side in order to construct some berms in that location, which was done with the knowledge and <br /> approval of the City. <br /> Dunbar noted he did have the engineers measure the building and it has been built to within one-half <br /> inch of the plans. <br /> PAGE 18 <br />