03-08-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 8, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. 1( #10 -3442 THEEMILYPROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) Bremer stated this has been a very helpful process and that it is emotional both ways. The City Council needs to base its decision on a document that was drafted a long time ago that did not envision these things when the City was going through its Comprehensive Plan review. Bremer stated she will need to rely on her training and expertise that she gained serving on the Planning Commission, which taught her that as part of this process, each property should be treated as unique and that you have to take the property as is and accept that the applicant has the best of intentions. Bremer stated she would welcome going through the CUP process first before discussing the IUP. If the vote were held tonight for a CUP, Bremer indicated she would likely vote no because the conditional use permit does run with the property. Bremer stated she would like to know specifics on exactly what the parking requirements are. Bremer noted tonight the City does not have enough parking at the Orono City Hall building, but that 99.9 percent of the time there is ample parking. Bremer commented that the City needs to be realistic and realize that a person cannot accommodate every situation. Bremer stated another uncertainty is the impact this facility will have on the traffic, but that she personally does not feel this facility will add much to the traffic in the area. Bremer noted the City has required applicants in the past to undergo traffic studies, which may become necessary if this application proceeds to the next step. Bremer stated in her view a conditional use permit is too permanent and too much of a shift from the Hill School and that an 10P should be discussed. • Murphy stated for those who were in attendance at the first meeting, he would like to assure everybody that the issue before the City Council is about the use of the land more than anything else. Murphy commented he personally feels the program is fantastic and that they are trying to help people who have one of the most difficult disorders there is. Murphy stated as the process has proceeded along, and also taking into account the larger community, the conditional use permit has several fatal flaws in it. The City Council has not had the opportunity to take an indepth look at a landscaping plan, the parking situation, or the traffic situation, and that the application has gotten somewhat hung up on the emotional side of things. Murphy stated he is intrigued with how something other than a CUP might or might not work for this site. Since the application is about a facility that helps save lives, he would not be troubled extending the time period so those questions can be answered more clearly for everyone. McMillan noted she has received a number of letters regarding the land use issues. McMillan stated in her view this is an issue about land use and that a conditional use permit for a new use should meet minimum setbacks to assure that the commercial use is not a detriment to the neighborhood. McMillan stated it is also an intensification of use from a day school to a 24/7 inpatient client as well as outpatient. McMillan noted the City has not gotten any definitive answers on how big the outpatient portion would be. McMillan stated in addition to the intensification of use, there would be a substantial amount of renovation required to convert the existing building into a residential health care facility. The applicant would invest a substantial amount of money and the building would take on a new life as a health care facility. McMillan commented that businesses and uses come and go but the buildings and their permitted uses remain. Residents • come and go but the houses remain. Future councils are then left to deal with any issues that arise. McMillan stated it is very important that the City Council look at the conditional use and what will be there in the years to'come and not get hung up on the business that is there currently. - Page 19 of 23