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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 17, 2003 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#11) #03-2961 NINA WILDMAN, 745 SPRING HILL ROAD, PRELIMINARY <br /> PLAT, Continued <br /> Rice stated that undoubtedly they would, positively or negatively, since many potential <br /> buyers are looking for more open space and elbow room they may be willing to pay a <br /> premium. <br /> Gaffron stated that the addition of covenants provides the City and neighbors with an <br /> attractive option and stability by setting limitations on development. Rather than seeing the <br /> plots subdivided further into smaller 2 acre sites, the covenants provide the City with a <br /> basis to keep limitations set. <br /> Winston stated that she would look favorably upon covenants, and acknowledged the fact <br /> that a covenant her mother placed over a portion of their property would be running out in <br /> 2005. She felt a covenant would provide the neighborhood with assurance for a period of <br /> time, say 20 years, and help in future City planning efforts. <br /> Acting Chair Mabusth stated that if restrictive covenants were added to the <br /> recommendation, she would expect an upgrade to the roadway if further development to <br /> the south occurred. <br /> Rice stated that his clients would be impacted by these upgrades and would not look <br /> favorably upon this requirement. <br /> Fritzler asked if these upgrades would need to be mandated at the time of development or <br /> now. <br /> Gaffron stated that it would be best to resolve the roadway issues in advance. <br /> Bremer stated that she would be concerned letting the recommendation proceed this way <br /> without looking at the lessons learned from past similar mistakes by allowing these skinny <br /> roadway s to remain without plans for upgrades. While she stated that she would go along <br /> with a recommendation without roadway improvements if only one house is proposed, she <br /> would not support approval if more development will occur. <br /> Zugschwert could support the proposal retaining the rural character of the neighborhood <br /> with the development of one additional homesite. <br /> Gaffron stated that the proposed loop and long private driveway would provide <br /> accessibility for fire. While the covenants would limit further development for a period of <br /> time, he acknowledged that other improvements would be necessary at that time. He <br /> encouraged the Commission to review other aspects of the proposal, including road width. <br /> PAGE 28 of 41 <br />