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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 /> Kluth indicated he is noropposed to senior housing but he would prefer to see a smaller sized building. <br /> Mike Schrack, 2004 Sugarwood Drive, stated a big part of his concern is with the overall bulk of the <br /> facility and the height of the structure. Schrack indicated he purchased his lot originally because there <br /> were a large number of trees,but now he is faced with a tall building and the possibility of another even <br /> taller building being constructed on this site. Schrack commented he also has concerns regarding the <br /> possible commercial uses that would be permitted on this property. <br /> Jacqueline Ritz stated she is in agreement with Schrack,noting that her understanding of the original <br /> proposal is different than what is being proposed tonight. <br /> Hawn stated Mr. Dunbar has,to her knowledge, taken great steps in the past to listen to the residents <br /> and to work with the City on this project. Hawn encouraged the residents and Mr.Dunbar to continue <br /> to work together on this development. <br /> Hawn pointed out there are many other uses that would be permitted on this property that may not be as <br /> desirable as a senior housing building. <br /> Ritz inquired why this property was rezoned in the first place. <br /> Hawn stated that whole corridor was originally zoned B-1. <br /> Gaffron stated the property was zoned B-1 as early as 1967 and perhaps earlier. B-1 is the City's most <br /> liberal retain business district and would have allowed a fast-food restaurant, a gas station, grocery <br /> stores, a number of retail stores. Gaffron stated the Orono Shopping Center right next to this site is <br /> zoned B-1. <br /> Gaffron indicated the discussion regarding conversion to B-6 started initially in 1987 in conjunction <br /> with a review of the Highway 12. Gaffron stated a new B-6 district was created which allows fewer <br /> uses and makes restaurants a conditional use rather than a permitted use in this district. Permitted uses <br /> for the B-6 district include office use, clinics,banks, and libraries. Gaffron stated typically the City <br /> does not rezone property unless a request is made. <br /> Dunbar stated he would like to table his application. Dunbar commented the construction phase is a <br /> difficult time to discuss future plans with residents,but that he would like to continue to follow through <br /> with the project and address the issues. Dunbar noted he did send a letter back in February regarding a <br /> neighborhood meeting on this project where only two couples showed up. <br /> Hawn inquired whether the residents are interested in meeting with Mr. Dunbar on this project. <br /> A number of residents indicated they would like to meet with the developer. <br /> A resident requested that all the residents of the Sugarwoods neighborhood be given notice of all <br /> meetings regarding this proposal. <br /> Hawn recommended the developer also take additional steps to handle the dirt on the roadway. <br /> PAGE 22 <br />