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MINUTES OF THE <br /> � ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION . <br /> ' . Tuesclay,January 16,2007 <br /> . 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#06-3249 City of Orono,Outlot A Stonebay, Continued) � <br /> Chair Rahn o�ened the public hearing at 6:0�p.m. . <br /> Steve Jolulston, Landforni, stated he is appearing tonight on behalf of the owners of the property,John <br /> Teizauce 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 conunercial. Johnston stated tliey would request that the rezoning of ihe 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 /> . Conmzission consider their application prior to the rezoning. �• � � <br /> . Bill Henney,2482 Sandstone Lane, Orono, indicated he is familiar with Reliance's�roposal for this site <br /> and he is in support of the project. <br /> David Strandman,Reliance Development, stated as of last weelc, they have the property under coniract <br /> � again and diseussions have been undertaken with representatives froin the bank and the food co-op. <br /> Sirandman 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 meinber of the steering coininittee for Harvest <br /> Moon Food Co-op and that they have spent a considerable arnount of time frying 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 alnlost that much money through the coinmunity, Krokyzlc stated they have utilized the • <br /> monies to develop a feasibility plan and business plan. Krolcyzk stated they will continue to fine-ttuze <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 oppoi-tunity to present their proposal in <br /> - niore detail. . � , • <br /> Chair Rahn closed the puUlic hearing at 6:17 p.m. <br /> Keinpf commented the previous Planning Commission was generally in favor of retail for this site and <br /> that he personally likes the pro�osed tenants for this site. Kem�f inquired whether Harvest Moon has <br /> other operating locations. � <br /> Krokyzlc state�d Yllis �vould be their first locatiori. . � . . � <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 densily. 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 tlle inimediate <br /> area. Kcmpf stated he would like to give this proposal an opportunity to be heard i�ot`e fully;�....:,� <br /> . _ PAGE 4 . <br />