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) making any changes to the conditions of Resolution No.4305. Mr. Maile concluded by stating the neighborhood is still residential and the Club is a business with liquor sales. Mr. Edge Jackson, 1055 Edgewood Hills Road resident for 24 years, stated that the number of near- accidents on CR 15 is scary, and as a resident, he does use the backway. He would appreciate any relief from access on the backside. Ms. Jane Delaney, 1315 Woodhill Avenue, referred to her letter that was included in the Planning Commission agenda packet. She indicated that she, too, is represented by Mr. Bruce Malkerson. She expressed her opinion that the issue is not just about residents in the immediate neighborhood but was more. She stated she believed the City received other residents' letters in 1999 but the letters were not recognized. Ms. Delaney advised that she had called the city police repeatedly about violations of the conditions but there was not any police response. She explained the violations were speeding on Woodhill Avenue and exits from the Club,where she stated there is rarely a car that stops at the stop sign. Chair Mabusth called for further public comments and there were none. She closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Charles Kelley, Woodhill Country Club member, asked for information about when Woodhill Avenue was upgraded and if it was built to City road standards. It was thought the road was reconstructed when the subdivision was built about 1987. Gaffron responded that he doubted if it was built to city street width standards due to the smaller number of residences on the road at that time. Mr. Kelley commented that there had been two-way traffic on the road in prior years. Mr. Kelley added that with the railroad right-of-way converting to a segment of the Luce Line Trail, he predicted that activity and congestion will increase at CR 15. He speculated that Ms. Delaney could not see vehicles at the stop sign from her residence, that the two speed bumps in place are the only speed bumps in Orono and cited the Orono Golf Club and one other as clubs that use public streets. Mr. Kelley stressed concern for their members' safety at the CR 15/Woodhill Road intersection, noting speed is an issue on CR 15 as well. Ms. Massie pointed out the Club is a family club focusing on family activities and that alcohol consumption is not a priority. She predicted that it is a matter of time until there is a fatality at CR 15/Woodhill Road and the Club wanted to try to improve the members' traveling options. Ms. Massie indicated the Club would reprimand any member who was known to violate the current conditions. She stated traffic line-ups at CR 15 would be reduced if some of the Club traffic could go out the other access. Mr. Maile repeated his position that diverting vehicles onto Orono Orchard Road would only add to the problem of significant traffic volumes when there would be only one north/south route open across the railroad. Gaffron clarified the short-term impacts of likely increases in traffic volumes and patterns on Orono Orchard Road and Willow Drive during the Hwy. 12 construction work. In the long term, there would no longer be an access onto Highway 12. Page 8 of 22