05/17/2010 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,May 17,2010 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#10-3460 CONIlVIONBOND COMMUNITIES,PRELIMNARY PLAT AND RPUD,CONT.) been taken with this application and the Comprehensive Plan. There have been decisions made in 2009 regarding this location,which is when CommonBond was first meeting with City Staff. Printup indicated he is proud to be part of a coalition of concerned residents and that they are ready to be on the ballot in the fall to run for the Planning Commission and City Council to redirect the City back to adhering to the Orono philosophy. The Planning Commission is an important part of maintaining Orono's rural community. The members of the Planning Commission should not obligated to satisfy certain city council members or city staf£ Printup stated in his view the Comprehensive Plan was put on a fast track and has pitted neighbors against neighbors. Printup encouraged the City to slow down on this application. If the Planning Commission moves too quickly and gives its blessing on this application,it could give Orono another public black eye similar to the Emily Project application. Printup noted at the March 9�'City Council work session it was discussed that the Planning Commissioners are not experienced enough to handle this application. It was further discussed that the Planning Commission should do as much as they can on this application to move it forward. It was also noted that Mayor White, Council Member Bremer and Council Member Murphy were in favor of moving forward on this application at the work session. Printup stated in his view this application was decided many months ago. Printup asked if the Planning Commission can guarantee that the city property required for this development will not be sold at undermarket value or donated and can they also guarantee that the fees will not be waived. Printup indicated he would like a guarantee that Orono's tax dollars will not used to subsidize a project like this. At the January 26"'City Council work session,CommonBond requested the City negotiate a below marketplace price or donate the property. At the February 9`�'Planning/Council joint work session, Planning Commissioner Berg stated it comes down to whether the Council wants to provide affordable housing or not and in her opinion CommonBond is probably one of the better developers. There was also discussion at the February 9`"joint work session on whether they want to make the city property available to CommonBond. Printup stated it is not within the responsibility of the Planning Commission or City Council to donate city land. Printup stated this is not about what the council wants but it is about what the people want. It is about changing what Orono is about, crime,traffic,parking,and transportation. These issues need to be discussed and explored very thoroughly prior to moving the application forward and that one meeting is not enough time to discuss issues of this magnitude. Kim Edwards,2450 Woodhaven Drive, stated in his opinion the proposed density is way too high for this area and access is limited. Edwards stated this project could this be constructed across Highway 12 on the Welch property,the Dumas property, or the Eisinger property. The Eiseinger property is already zoned high density and the other two properties could be rezoned to high density. Tor Aasheim,2400 Woodhave Drive, stated he is opposed to this project and that it appears this development is being forced into an undesirable location. Aasheim commented he does not feel it is a valid argument that this project should go here simply because there is no other place to put it and that developments like this belong along Highway 12. Orono is all about wetlands and open spaces. As the project gets smaller and smaller,that is an indication there is not enough space for it. Aasheim indicated PAGE 14