07-10-2006 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 10, 2006 7:00 o'clock p.m. (RYAN COMPANIES, CONTINUED) • Nordland indicated Ryan Companies is willing to work with the City on the right -of -way and the other issues and that they have designed buildings that attract good employers. McMillan stated if the existing building is dictating what happens with the right -of -way, it would go to a hardship. McMillan suggested some of the parking spaces on the north side of the new street be removed and turned into green space until a need is demonstrated for more parking spaces. Nordland stated they often have used that option whenever possible. McMillan stated she would like to see more green space created wherever possible. White commented Morrie's also has the same problem with having a 70 -foot right -of -way and that the City should look at other options. Murphy stated it is too early to decide whether a 50 -foot right -of -way is appropriate for this area. The City has created standards for a reason and that the applicant should demonstrate more reasons for having a 50 -foot right -of -way. Sansevere stated there is a difference between commercial development and residential development. Sansevere commented that residential development is held to strict standards and that homeowners are required to demonstrate a hardship for a variance, which should also be the case with commercial development. Sansevere stated the commercial developers should also have to demonstrate a legitimate • hardship. Nordland commented they could also do a private driveway into their property, which would not benefit the adjoining property. Murphy stated they are attempting to achieve some connectivity through the industrial park and that the City should be clear about what it wants to see for this area. McMillan stated one option is that a portion of the existing building could be removed. White requested the Council discuss the landscaping in the northeast corner. McMillan stated she would like to see additional landscaping in that area. Nordland stated as the parking lot is expanded, they would be amenable to adding more landscaping in that area. Nordland stated they would like to avoid planting trees only to have to remove them later when the parking lot is reconstructed. White inquired when the 70 -foot roadway width standard was established. Gaffron stated the 70 -foot roadway was established in the 1970s. The City Council took no formal action on this application. PAGE 24 •