03/19/2007 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE � ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 19,2007 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#06-3249 City of Orono,Continued) stated representatives of Reliance Development Corporation and Harvest Moon Food Co-op have indicated they are considering the site for a bank and food co-op and need additional time to explore the possibilities of these uses for the site before making a formal application. The Planning Commission tabled the item for two months on a vote of 6-1. � Gaffron stated the first amendment re-guided Outlot A to allow for retail uses under the following parameters: 1. No individual buildings greater than 15,000 square foot gross floor area. 2; One building must be a pharmacy/convenience store. 3. The remaining buildings shall have no individual tenant space greater thari 7,000 square feet. 4. The most westerly building on the site shall be oriented and designed in a manner that focuses . _ on the regional pond as an amenity for customers or tenants. � 5. Buildings on the site shall be oriented with a goal of providing an inviting vehicle and pedestrian entry from Kelley Parkway without creating negative visual impacts for the Stonebay Acting Chair Kempf opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m Steve Johnston,Landform Engineering Company, stated he is appearing tonight on behalf of John Terrance Homes. Johnston stated in January of 2007,the land was under contract with Reliance and that since that time they have removed themselves from the property. Johnston stated Central Bank and Harvest Moon�ood Co-op have submitted an application today at 8 a.m.,which proposes an 16,000 , square foot office building,with a portion being used as a bank and the other portion being reserved for professional tenants. In addition,a 12,000 square foot locally owned food co-op store is also being proposed for the site. Johnston indicated the contract has been assumed by Central Bank from Reliance and that a group of investors are ready to purchase the property. Johnston stated their application was not submitted earlier because they did not expect Reliance to � withdraw from the project and that they had to find an alternate developer. ' Johnston stated in his view this is a financially viable project and that they would request the Planning Commission to table any action on this comprehensive plan amendment given the application that they have submitted. Johnston stated in his opinion the office use and food co-op is a reasonable use for the � . property and should be given proper consideration by the Planning Commission prior to acting on the comprehensive plan amendment. Kari Smith, 80 Cygnet Place, stated she is a member of the steering committee for Harvest Foods and that they are leading a grassroots effort to bring a member-owned food co-op into Orono. Smith stated they are developing connections with local farmers to provide fresh produce, organic foods, fresh baked PAGE 7