03-08-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 8, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. ( #10 -3442 THE EMILYPROGR,4M, 2180 NORTHSHORE DRIVE, Continued) Julie Ann Peterson, 1355 Arbor Street, noted she is one of the closest neighbors to the school and that she has lived there for 20 years. The Hill School has gone through a number of iterations over the years and they have always been good neighbors. Peterson stated she has enjoyed the kids and would watch them walk over to the Crystal Bay Park for recess. Peterson stated her concern is the 24/7 operation as opposed to the Hill School's five day a week weekday operation. Peterson stated she sees the building from her property and that it is a large two -story building adjoining her back yard. Peterson encouraged the City Council to think about the impact this would have on her patio and deck. Peterson indicated she works in the health care industry, which is a busy, stressful job, and that she loves sitting outside in her yard in the evenings. The Art Center is quiet and has its parking over by County Road 51. Peterson stated this facility will have lights on in the evening and the residents will want their windows open on a nice day, which will mean that she will be able to hear their conversations and other noise generated from the building. Peterson stated this will change the residential character of the neighborhood. • Aaron Printup, 2195 Prospect Avenue, stated he resides in a 110 year -old, one bathroom, one bedroom home with his 15 -month old daughter, and has been a life -long resident of Orono. Printup indicated he is a correctional officer with the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation. Printup stated he is opposed to the CUP and that the issue is about preserving the character and integrity of the laws in Orono's Community Management Plan, specifically relating to land use. The Hill School is zoned for rural residential. • Preservation being the guide, that should lead the City Council to vote no on the CUP. Hill School sits on a site that consists of .58 acre, which is too small for a hospital facility. Printup stated according to county property information, Hill School was purchased eight years ago for $210,000 and is reportedly selling for around $875,000. With the proposed renovations, it would be approaching the $3 million mark, which does not make sense for a lot that is .58 acres. Crystal Bay is a residential zone and not a commercial zone. If the current applicant were to vacate the property, the next entity to move in would be another health care facility. The CUP goes with the land. If that is the case, there is no stopping my neighbor from selling to a health care facility because a precedent has been set by the CUP being granted to the Hill School. Printup stated from the beginning of this application process, mistakes may have been made and that perhaps land use wasn't look at originally. Printup commented he is thankful so many friends and neighbors did so much legwork. The Hill School is a historic landmark and variances of the past were associated with a school, not a new hospital. No new variances should be issued. Hospitals are not allowed in rural residential. Commercialization belongs in Navarre and not in Crystal Bay. Printup encouraged the City Council to protect Crystal Bay from the encroachment of incompatible land uses and to maintain the historic identity and characteristics of Crystal Bay by voting no on this application. Printup pointed out that Hill School is guided by rural education land use and it is stated in that section that the Hill School be relatively small and low key. Making this a 24/7 hospital is not low key. The health care plan being suggested should be located in the Navarre area. If the Hill School becomes a hospital, it will always be a hospital. The City cannot guarantee that it will not evolve into something else.. The applicant has suggested that the City could cancel the CUP, which is not legal. The applicant has offered to withdraw the CUP if they ever leave, which is also not legal. The CUP goes with the land. The fact is, with the CUP, any type of drug • or rehab facility could operate at this site due to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Printup indicated that attempts to develop an IUP will not work either because of the same problems. Page 14 of 23