07-18-2005 Planning Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

_ � ._ � �� June 16, 2005 ��N Orono P1aiuling Conu�iission �� 20�� Orono City Council ��F ORpNC} Orono Planning Staff RE: Application#OS-31-21 blterior Expansion of Conditional Use and Exterior Creation of New outdoor Front patio and rear deck for Drinlcing and Eating-Narrows Saloon Dear Commission, Couilcil and Staff; I ain writing this letter on behalf of Neighbors For a Better Navarre, a growing organization of concerned residents, the majority of whose members currently reside on or around Kelly Avenue. We have received and reviewed Applicant's plans for this proposed expansion at a meeting called especially for that purpose Tuesday night, June 14. Applicailt was invited to present their case and agreed to do so but decided not to attend without notifying us. Here is a list of our concerns: 1. We strongly urge tlle City Of Orono to place a moratorium on development in Downtown Navarre and develop a vision and plan for this small area that we can all live with and be proud o:f. We first requested this in April, 2004 when the ill conceived Restaurant/Bar was proposed by Mike Keaveny and Paul Ode. It is even more relevant today. Granting this massive interior and exterior expansion of the Saloon, with outdoor party decks and an outdoor bar will set the retail tone for Downtown Navarre for decades to come. We believe granting this request will lead to even more bars desiring to locate at this intersection and drive out more desirable development. The fact that the Keaveny property is ripe for development and the addition of Lund's ownership of Rick's Market reinforce the comrnon sense of the city creating a plan. There are already serious traffic and noise pollution issues in downtown Navarre. This is the time for the City of Orono to be proactive and show leadership,not just to react to every request that comes along, which will only lead to the further deterioration of Navarre. While physically far from Orono City Offices, we are still a part of the city, pay tax dollars to the city and deserve the attention of the Planning Coinmission, CO1121C11 and staff in developing a sensible plan. 2. I�i the event you decide not to place a moratorium, we believe that current problems witll tlle applicant's operation must be addressed in conjunction with granting any approval. There is loud noise that emanates from the property late into the night wl.ien the doors are opened and the homes near the Saloon literally viUrate when a"hot band" is playing. Chopper noise late at night aud public drunkemzess that spews down Kelly Avenue is also a problem.