09-13-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 13, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. ADOPT 2008 -2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, Continued) McMillan indicated the fire station parcel is located in the heart of Orono even though it is against the highway wall. McMillan expressed a concern that the guided density will set a precedent that over time might create higher density levels in that area. McMillan reiterated she would like to see the density reduced on the fire station site and that she is not able to support the Comprehensive Plan at this time since there were elements of it that were rushed and the process became politicized. Franchot stated that while he respects Council Member McMillan's opinion, in his view the process has not been rushed and that Council Member McMillan's comments are really not an accurate reflection of the process that the City Council went through in developing the Comprehensive Plan. There were a number of public hearings held on the Comprehensive Plan during the process. Franchot noted the two applications that were hotly contested were never voted on and later withdrawn. Franchot stated in his view the Comprehensive Plan has been discussed thoroughly and that it was his understanding a number of compromises were reached. Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5959, a Resolution Adopting the 2008 -2030 City of Orono Community Management Plan. Sam Marfield, Orono resident, asked whether the public will be allowed to comment on this item. • Mayor White noted this is not a public hearing tonight. Bremer noted the City has received an e -mail from Siri Sturgis, 2230 Grand Avenue, and Chris Beam, 275 Harrington Circle. Both residents indicate they live`near the fire station and are against the reguiding of that property given the proposed high density. Murphy stated he also is troubled with the comment that the Comprehensive Plan was rushed through and noted that the City asked for two extensions in order to develop the right plan. Murphy stated there is no question that density is an ongoing, highly emotional issue for most communities. Murphy distributed an article from the Sun Sailor from the fall of 1978 with the headline, - "Orono Won't Undergo Urbanization Gracefully." The gist of the article is that Orono will not meet the demands of the Metropolitan Council easily. Murphy stated he does not feel that philosophy has changed drastically but that the Metropolitan Council has established new rules and regulations that make it very difficult for cities to not reguide properties at higher densities. Murphy stated in his opinion the City is now in a position where they need to do what they have said they are going to do and move forward. Murphy stated the City should look at establishing a coalition with other communities and start lobbying the Metropolitan Council for a different way to look at the density issue. The City has all the capability as the individual applications come forward to make a determination on what the best density is for that particular site. Murphy commented the City needs to have a strategic approach for handling the density and that there is room to change it up or down as conditions change. McMillan stated while the overall process lasted three years, at the time the actual density numbers were • arrived at, then it seemed like the Comprehensive Plan was rushed through. The higher density is uncharacteristic of Orono and it opens up the possibility of large buildings being constructed on the Dumas property. McMillan stated in her opinion the Council did not look thoroughly at where the City PAGE 5 of 14