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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 20, 2010 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Dave Owen, Good Shepherd, 3486 Ivy Place, stated he attended last month's meeting and that he <br /> would like to discuss setbacks in particular tonight and how it affects their site. Owen stated their <br /> columbarium can work with a minimum setback. <br /> Good Shepherd has basically three concerns. The first concern is the limitations of the site. The <br /> area of the property that is appropriate for the inurnment garden is very restrictive and protected. <br /> They have overcome the limitations of the site by a great plan that is supported by their <br /> membership. <br /> The second concern is the difficulty of obtaining variances given the recent Supreme Court <br /> ruling. Owen requested the unique characteristics of the site be considered when developing the <br /> ordinance. <br /> The third concern relates to potential setback requirements. Good Shepherd is actually requesting <br /> the ordinance take a flexible approach to the setback requirements. Owen stated in their view <br /> they believe it would best serve the residents of the community to have flexible setbacks based on <br /> each site's specific circumstances. Good Shepherd's design proposes a 5-foot setback. The <br /> majority of the inurnment area will consist of a garden and a sidewalk. The 10-foot setback <br /> would be difficult to overcome on their site and a 50-foot setback would not allow them to have <br /> an inurnment garden at all. The garden encourages quiet reflection and meditation. <br /> Owen displayed a series of slides depicting the site,the site restrictions, and their plan detailing <br /> why they would like a 5-foot setback. Owen recommended the Planning Commissioners visit the <br /> property. The proposed area has been outlined in white paint,which is depicted in one of the <br /> slides. <br /> Owen noted the site is heavily wooded and does have some steep slopes. The property is located <br /> next to an ice rink and a city park. They are proposing a walkway from the back door of the <br /> church to the garden. <br /> Feuss asked if the garden is being proposed or whether it exists currently. <br /> Owen stated the area is woods currently and that they are proposing a garden with an inurnment <br /> area. There is a slope next to the proposed garden that is basically a 3:1 slope. The area available <br /> to work with is approximately 40 feet wide by 105 feet deep. There are a number of trees in the <br /> way to the east. They would like to take advantage of the flat area that extends into the woods. <br /> Curtis asked if the memorial wall will only contain plaques. <br /> Owen indicated there will be an inurnment area for remains and a 5-foot memorial wall designed <br /> just for plaques for people who do not have their remains inurned in the garden. The property is <br /> heavily wooded and there are no close neighbors. Due to the limitations of the property, Good <br /> Shepherd is requesting a 5-foot setback. They would like the Planning Commission to also <br /> consider a flexible approach on an individual basis as it relates to the setbacks. Owen pointed out <br /> there will only be a handful of requests for this type of use. <br /> Leskinen asked if the memorial wall is located 15 feet from the property line. <br /> Page <br /> 11 <br />