04-23-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 23, 2012 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. #12 -3546 TODD HOLMERS ONBEIIALF OF MAPLE PLACE, LLC,1545 MAPLE PLACE, Continued) Holmers pointed out they are not 1,500 square foot homes since that is just the structural coverage and that they will have four bedrooms up and a den downstairs. The homes will consist of between 2,200 to 2,300 finished square feet. If the basement is finished, the home would be over 3,000 square feet. Printup stated when he was looking on line a couple of days ago, he found a similar home in a different city that was not anywhere close to the asking price of these homes. Printup commented he does have a concern with the demand for this type of house. Matt Herman, 3825 Cherry Avenue, indicated he is in agreement with Nick Williams and that he has submitted a letter to the City outlining his concerns. Herman indicated he is not aware of any flooding issues in the neighborhood and that in his view seven homes would have a negative impact on the neighborhood and it should be reconsidered. Linda Tyson, 1360 North Arm Drive, stated the neighbors have to look at these homes for a long time and that they would appreciate it if they would only construct three homes to make it look more like it belongs in the neighborhood. Holmers stated they would not be able to make a profit on three homes. Holmers noted that he will be • living in one of the homes, so he will be a part of the neighborhood. Carin Offerman, 3826 Cherry Avenue, stated even though everyone does not feel it fits into the neighborhood, she would encourage the City Council to continue to work with the applicant on this project. Offerman stated if they feel the drainage system will work, that would be improvement. In addition, the higher value homes might be good for the neighborhood. Offerman stated in her view the residents should work with the applicant to be a good neighbor and try to make this as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Paul Taylor, 3883 Cherry Avenue, stated he is attempting to figure out how the developer will get $2.4 million for these seven homes when the surrounding houses, with more acreage than these lots, are appraised at less than $300,000 each. Taylor stated he fails to see how the builder is going to get $2.4 million out of 1.4 acres and seven houses. Taylor commented he may erect a sign on his property saying he owns nine- tenths of an acre and that he'll sell it for a million dollars. Taylor stated in his view it is an eyesore and that he will have to look at it every day. Taylor asked where the front drainage. will go. Taylor pointed out if the driveways are six feet higher than the road, it could go across the road. Struve stated the existing grade does drain to the low spot. It is anticipated the runoff would drain to the north and follow the road. Taylor stated the beach has been used by boaters in the past and asked whether the owners of these lots will be using the beach as their own private dock. If so, buoys should be erected to protect the beach. • Rahn asked how many cubic yards of fill will be brought in., Page 11 of 16