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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, October 21,2002 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#3) #02-2834 ROBERT AND JULIE WIENS, 1425 BAY RIDGE ROAD, Continued <br /> Lyle Godfrey stated that, as long as the berm was maintained, he had no problem with the <br /> application. <br /> Chair Smith encouraged the applicant to give careful consideration to whether he believed a 4' <br /> berm would help with the sound problem. She asked for staff's opinion. <br /> Gaffron indicated that a 4-5' high berm would not have a huge impact on the noise level and <br /> suggested Mr. Wiens consider additional evergreens. Gaffron stated that a denser row of pine <br /> trees would do more to lessen the impact of noise than this berm. <br /> Mrs. Kaley, 1395 Brown Road South, questioned what the applicant would plant on the berm, <br /> since her views would be impacted. She indicated that the proposed curve of the berm near Bay <br /> Bridge Road would block her views of the lake. <br /> Wiens stated that no matter what he proposed in order to improve his current street views, it <br /> would impact Mrs. Kaley's views. Wiens maintained that he has gone to great lengths to <br /> improve his property since moving in and would strive to beautify the project, planting <br /> evergreens atop the berm, surrounded by prairie grass and wildflowers under the trees. <br /> Rahn questioned whether the applicant could truly accept a 4' high berm, when what he was <br /> expecting was an 8' high berm. <br /> Wiens expressed his desire to move the project forward. <br /> Mrs. Kaley reiterated that the row of pines along the top of the berm would impact her views. <br /> Wiens stated that he must do something and again, would be willing to work towards a <br /> compromise with the neighbors. <br /> Mabusth empathized, stating that she could see his goal was to improve his screen both visually <br /> and for noise control. <br /> Wiens stated that the existing trees would block 70-80% of Mrs. Kaley's views of the proposed <br /> berm. <br /> Hawn stated that she was unclear what the issue with the neighbors was, since the trees would <br /> block most of the berm and the applicant has expressed his willingness to work with them. <br /> Wiens stated that there are a number of things he could propose, including building structure <br /> rather than berm, however he has chosen to construct and beautify his property with the berm <br /> and plantings. Wiens stated that he had no idea he would be faced with opposition from his <br /> neighbors when he proposed this application and was willing to try to work with them, but <br /> Page 4 <br />