09-19-2005 Planning Commission Packet

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� � � � ��f11 June 16, 2005 �� J�If� Orono Plaruiing Conunission �� 2005 Orono City Council Y��oRoNo Orono Plaruling Staff RE: Application#OS-31-21 I�iterior Expansion of Conditional Use and Exterior Creation of New outdoor Front patio and rear deck for Drinlcing and Eating-Narrows Saloon Dear Commission, Council 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. Applicant 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 concems: 1. We strongly urge the 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 of. We first requested this in April, 2004 when the ill conceived RestaurantBar 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 R.ick's Market reinforce the conunon 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 furtlier deterioration of Navarre. While physic�lly far froin Orono City Offices, we are still a part of the city, pay tax dollars to the city and deserve the attention of the Planning Comniission, Council and staff in developing a sensible plan. 2. I�i the event you decide not to place a moratorium, we believe that cuirent problems with the 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 when the doors are opened and the homes near the Saloon literally vibrate when a"hot band" is playing. Chopper noise late at night and public dnuilceiuiess that spews down Kelly Avenue is also a problem.