08-10-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 10, 2009 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (5. #09 -3418 DENNIS BATTY ON BEHALF OF BROOK INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC, 3421- 3425 SHORELINE DRIVE, Continued) Dick Edwards, 2480 Carman Street, stated he has lived in this area at the time the old bowling center was open and that they experienced a number of issues with traffic, lighting, and noise. Edwards stated given current state of the economy, it is likely the bowling alley will not be viable. Edwards expressed a concern with the current traffic situation in the area and requested the City Council follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Tom Richie, 2507 Kelly Avenue, stated his main concern deals with the congested traffic and moving anything closer to Kelly Avenue, which would negatively impact their quality of life. Richie expressed concern that there will be a major accident in this area if any additional vehicles are added. Ward Edwards, 2474 Carman Street, stated he is in agreement with his brother's comments. Batty distributed a sketch plan of their proposal and the results of a parking usage study that they have conducted. Batty stated eight parking spaces in the southeast corner in the lower parking lot could be added if four trees were removed, but that the owner has instructed him to not add those parking spaces in order to preserve the trees in that area. Batty noted they did receive some complaints regarding the stairwell. By eliminating the retaining walls, • the stairway would be opened up. In addition, an informal traffic and parking usage study has been completed and it shows that the existing tenants are not utilizing all of the parking even at peak hours. Batty stated they have had several meetings with the state highway department regarding the right -hand turning lane and have requested that they evaluate whether anything could be done in that area to improve the situation. It was the state highway department's opinion that short of making substantive changes in the curb lines, which would negatively impact the driving lanes, there is not much that can be done to improve the traffic in the area. Habib stated he is the owner of the property and currently resides in California. Habib agreed the lighting in the parking lot is not desirable and that he has spoken with Xcel about relocating the poles but that he was told they cannot be moved. Habib indicated he is attempting to work with the neighbors on the issues that they have raised. Bertagnoli stated they would like to see the middle lights shut off. Murphy stated in his view the main issues that should be addressed prior to addressing the lighting and other smaller issues are the setbacks, the parking, hardcover and structural coverage. Murphy stated he would like to see those issues resolved and that in his opinion the proposal is simply too much for the site. Habib stated in order to make this structure economically feasible, he has to maximize the property. Habib indicated he would like the City Council to provide some direction on what they would like to see for the property. McMillan noted the applicant has received direction on the setbacks and the hardcover by virtue of the • City's ordinances and that economic factors are not considered a hardship by the Council. McMillan PAGE 6