01-26-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 26, 1998 ( #15) !.ARY DFSANTIS; SAILORS WORLD MI►RINT A - LETTER OF • REQUEST RE: SLIPS Gary DeSantis, owner of Sailors World Marina, was present. Gaffron reported that DeSantis is requesting City support for a business plan regarding the number of slips allowed for use at his marina. The LMCD is requiring removal of 10 slips, which were allowed to be used for a ten year time period, based on an agreement reached in 1988 between LNICD and former owner, Toberman, when 20 buoys were required to be removed. The ten year period is due to expire. Gaffron said 1987 City action to approve a redevelopment of the site led to the boat sales operations being moved to the gas station across the street. This operation continued for some time, then discontinued. The marina eventually came under DeSantis' ownership. Boat sales at the marina have never been sanctioned but apparently have been on -going off season for some time. This is a change that needs an amendment of the commercial site plan approval and a revision to the boat club CUP. There are no specific dock regulations in the City code. The LMCD requirement to remove 10 slips will result in a change in the business. Gaffron also noted that a storage module was allowed by the City a few years ago. The location of the module in Staff s opinion is too visible, and it should be moved to an area where it can be screened from the lake or with vegetation by the lake. DeSantis indicated that the use of the marina has been a concern since 1994. Activities include a boat club and off - season brokerage in addition to slip rental. The boat club use has been reduced in volume resulting in his proceeding with the brokerage of up to 26' length boats. He said he has worked with the City since 1977 when he took over Paul's Landing. DeSantis said the 79 water storage units is down from 170. He has made $500,000 worth of improvements to the property and needs to off set the change in business. If he loses these 10 slips, it would create a problem. DeSantis referenced a 5/3/95 detailed report regarding parking. He said he is using 34 stalls with the business, although his CUP allows a 100 member boat club and dockage usage. The slip customers come in at varying times. DeSantis said the boat club people is a 7:1 ratio. With reducing this business, he has cut down on the number of stalls by 6. DeSantis said this has resulted in less intense use of the operation and with resulting improvement to the property and to the community. To lose the 10 slips would cause him to have to intensify his other activities. Removal of 6 slips in the northeast portion and 4 in the southeast portion of the slips will cause the loss of the natural breakwater and jeopardize the complex. It is currently set up to protect the area, and DeSantis would have to reconfigure the whole dock system if these slips are lost. DeSantis said he has not received any complaints from the neighbors and feels no benefit would be gained by the loss of the slips. He noted a letter sent by him to the Council. 0 20