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. MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> , . Tuesday,January 16,2007 <br /> . 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#06-3249 City of Orono,Outlot A Stonebay, Continued) <br /> Chair Rahn opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. � � <br /> Steve Johnston,Landform, stated he is appearing tonight on behaif of the owners of the property,John , <br /> Terrance Homes,LLC. Presently there is a purchase agreement with another developer that is being <br /> pursued. Johnston indicated they do not believe this site is ideally suited for office use but would be <br /> better fitted for commercial. Johnston stated they would request that the rezoning of the outlot be tabled <br /> for six months to allow the submittal of an application and site plan for a bank and food co-op. Johnston <br /> stated in their opinion those uses are appropriate for this site and they would ask that the Planning <br /> � Commission consider their application prior to the rezoning. � <br /> Bill Henney,2482 Sandstone Lane,Orono,indicated he is familiar with Reliance's proposal for this site <br /> and he is in support of the project. <br /> David Strandman,Reliance Development, stated as of last week,they have the property under contract <br /> again and discussions have been undertaken with representatives from the bank and the food co-op. <br /> Strandman requested they be given additional time to explore these two uses for this site. <br /> Michelle Krokzyk, 65 Cygnet Place, Orono, stated she is a member of the steering committee for Harvest <br /> Moon Food Co-op and that they have spent a considerable amount of time hying to locate a food co-op in <br /> Orono and that they would like the City to give some consideration to this use on this site. Harvest Moon <br /> is a gathering place for all people of all ages and would act as a community hub for the city. Krokzyk <br /> stated Harvest Moon would be similar to Lakewinds and the Wedge,with the members owning the co-op. <br /> Krokyzk noted they have received a$10,000 matching grant from Cooperative Development Services and <br /> have raised almost that much money through the community. Krokyzk stated they have utilized the <br /> monies to develop a feasibility plan and business plan. Krokyzk stated they will continue to fine-tune <br /> their business plan but they feel confident about the success of this proposal. Krokyzk stated a number of <br /> their members are Orono residents and that they would like an opportunity to present their proposal in <br /> more detail. . <br /> Chair Rahn closed the public hearing at 6:17 p.m. ' <br /> Kempf commented the previous Planning Commission was generally in favor of retail for this site and <br /> that he personally likes the proposed tenants for this site. Kempf inquired whether Harvest Moon has <br /> other operating locations. . <br /> Krokyzk stated this would be their first location. . <br /> Kempf stated one of the concerns expressed in the past is that whoever the tenants are,that they will be <br /> successful, and that in his experience grocers tend to need a certain density of population in order to <br /> survive and that Orono is on the edge of that density. Kempf commented he would love to see a natural <br /> food store in the area,noting that it would not compete with other businesses already in tihe immediate <br /> area. Kempf stated he would like to give this proposal an opportunity to be heard more fully. <br /> PAGE 4 <br />