06/21/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (5. #04-3023 Woodhill Country Club, 200 Woodhill Avenue, CUP Amendment, Public Hearing- continued) In concluding his presentation, Gaffron noted although the amount of traffic proposed to be added to Woodhill Avenue appears to be within the range of traffic volumes that can be safely accommodated by the roadway, the current character of the roadway is a low volume street. The additional traffic would reflect both a significant increase in traffic level and a significant change in the character of the roadway. Chair Mabusth asked for comments from the applicant. Ms. Betsy Massie, President of the Woodhill Country Club, read a prepared statement into the record. She acknowledged neighborhood concerns for larger traffic volumes and reduced safety,but explained the Club had worked hard over the past five years to be a good neighbor. Ms. Massie stated the Club had not received a complaint in a long period of time. She commented that the Club's demographics remain the same as in 1999 and are limited to 400 memberships, with about as many Orono residents as in 1999. Chair Mabusth asked for public comments. Mr. Charles Maile, 1260 Woodhill Avenue, a 13-yr resident on Woodhill Avenue, indicated he had been involved in the residents' opposition during the 1999 process. He stated that the concerns raised in 1999 are the same neighborhood concerns now: • Reduced safety from increased traffic volumes and different nature of the traffic • Negative impacts on the character of the neighborhood and street • Concern for alcohol consumption at the Club and then driving through a residential neighborhood Mr. Maile acknowledged he had been reasonably comfortable with the compromise reached in 1999 to allow only one-way traffic on Woodhill Avenue. However, he stated the actual experience since 1999,based on his own observation, included violations of every condition of the 1999 agreement: • Trucks entering • Vehicles exiting and going the wrong way on Woodhill Avenue • Vehicles not stopping at the stop sign, which he claimed is violated on a weekly basis Mr. Maile noted several changes that occurred since 1999: • Increase in danger potential related to the abandoned railroad right-of-way becoming a segment of the Luce Line Trail • Increase in traffic volume on Orono Orchard Road due to the road closures with the Hwy. 12 By-pass construction project over the next 1-2 years • Fewer numbers of neighbors due to property sales, though no houses have been torn down. He concluded that he did not think the character of the Woodhill Avenue neighborhood had changed or may change since 1999. Mr. Maile advised that Mr. Bruce Malkerson, attorney at law, represents him in his opposition to amendments to Resolution No. 4305. Mr. Malkerson advised they had not seen any data to justify Page 7 of 22