Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE I <br /> ORONO PLANIVING COMMISSION MEETING ; <br /> July 20,2009 i <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. � <br /> (#09-3418 DENI�TIS BATTY ON BEHALF OF BROOK INVESTMENT GROUP,CONTINUED) <br /> Kempf concurred that the proposal is too much for this site and that it simply does not work. Kempf <br /> noted the parking is very limited and forces pah�ons to park on the lower level. Kempf expressed concern <br /> that the customers are not going to want to park down below and go up a stairway in order to do business <br /> at one of the stores located on the upper level. ' <br /> Batty stated the potential tenants for this location would not have heavy parking demands. <br /> Kempf noted the City of Orono has spent a considerable amount of money to come up with a long-term <br /> development plan for Navarre and that this area is really not that desirable for retail given the amount of <br /> traffic and limited parlcing. Kempf stated this project only compounds those issues. Kempf stated he <br /> does not have an issue with the 2800 square foot addition if the problems with deliveries can be resolved. <br /> Bennett stated in her view this proposal is not what the City would like to see for Navarre and that she <br /> would like to see a building that is more architecturally appealing. Bennett suggested the applicants <br /> consider a two-story building. <br /> Habib stated the reason for the 5000 square foot addition relates to a cost analysis that they did and a <br /> study of the existing businesses. Habib stated he would like to gain some additional parking but he was <br /> requested by the neighbors that he not construct a two-story building. Habib stated the 2800 square foot <br /> addition will not be sufficient to make a go of the property and that it is likely the shopping center will be <br /> totally empty in a couple of years if improvements are not made. <br />. + <br /> Habib requested the Planning Commission provide some direction on the size of addition they would be <br /> willing to approve. Habib stated he would like to work with the neighbors and that the e-mail received by <br /> the City does hurt his feelings regarding the lights. Habib indicated Xcel visited the property four times <br /> to address the lighting situation. In addition,he hired his own electrician to address the issues but that the <br /> work was not done to his standards. Habib stated he has requested the neighbors tell him exactly where <br /> the lights should be placed and that he is agreeable to erecting the lights and paying for it but that he does <br /> not want to hear further complaints about the lights after that. <br /> Bennett stated she did not realize that there was input from the community concerning a second-story and <br /> that it was just an option that she thought should be considered to allow for additional parking. Bennett <br /> stated there are some issues in the site plan that she is not comfortable with and that it is difficult for her <br /> to give an exact square footage that she would be willing to approve since she is unsure about the parlcing <br /> and the traffic. I <br /> Schoenzeit stated if the applicant wants to make an investment in this property,he may want to consider a <br /> rebuild in order to consolidate the parking and address some of the other issues. <br /> Kempf indicated he is in agreement with Commissioner Schoenzeit and that he has a difficult time <br /> providing direction for this property given the number of issues that have to be addressed,such as the <br /> parking, delivery,and traffic flow. Kempf stated he would like to see a plan for deliveries,parking, and <br /> landscaping,but that he would not be able to give the applicant specifics on what he should do. <br /> � <br /> � <br /> i <br /> i <br /> PAGE 17 � <br />