12-08-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2003 • 10. #03 -2961 Nina Wildman, 745 Spring Hill Road — Preliminary Subdivision — Continued within the setback zone because of topography and preserving mature trees. McMillan asked about the loop. Gaffron replied that it is one -way and about 12' wide. He felt the fire department would balk at the narrow width. Sansevere asked if access would be possible without traveling across the Hawn property. Gaffron replied that the cartway has wetlands on the south and possibly on the north side as well, so expanding it would have wetland impact. He felt it was questionable whether the applicant could expand the cartway because of the wetlands. Sansevere asked if staff was adamant that the subdivision only happens with road expansion. Gaffron stated that staff wants to avoid creating a situation of substandard lot access along the private road. He stated that the unique situation of the cartway is part of what attracted the residents to the area. He stated that staff was concerned about creating a future liability by not requiring the road be widened, should a house burn down because the fire trucks couldn't reach it. Nina Wildman stated that she would like to build a house on the ridge and sell the exiting • house with 6 acres. She didn't believe there was another buildable site on those 6 acres of property. The Winstons liked the front portion of the property and may purchase it from her. She wanted the lot to be considered buildable for the property value when she sells it off, whether it be to the neighbors or someone else. She stated neither she nor the neighbors want to upgrade the road. She wants the drive to the lots to be as unobtrusive as possible and follow the contours of the land. All of the neighbors have circular drives. ,• Mayor Peterson asked if she and the neighbors would be willing to put sprinklers into all their homes. Eleanor Winston of 765 Spring Hill Road stated that she doesn't want the road to change. She felt the road was safer for being narrow, because traffic moved slower on it. They have had EMS vehicles at her house and so she knew they can access the properties. She was concerned about the wetland impact of widening the cartway. She stated that until 1990 the road did serve 5 houses. They closed off one driveway after the previous subdivision. She noted that circumstances change in the future no matter what provisions are made to accommodate potentialities. She felt upgrading the road would ruin the charm of the area. Liz Hawn, speaking as a neighbor and not as a Planning Commissioner, stated that her feelings were expressed in a letter to the City. She did not object to the subdivision, but did not approve of the road upgrade. She stated she preferred very much to not change the road. 11