08-26-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

' MINUTES OF THE • ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 26,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. #13-3621 THOMAS WASMOEN ON BEHALF OF JOHN BESSESEN, 2445, 2455, 2465 SHADYWOOD ROAD, 2560 KELLYAVENUE,AND PID 20-117-23-11-0032—SKETCHPLAN REI�IEW, Continued) Wasmoen noted the Planning Commission raised a concern about the large number of trees that might be lost. A tree inventory will be done and there will be a significant effort made during the design process to protect as many trees as possible. The buffer along the wetlands will not be disrupted. In addition, a market study will also be completed to make sure there is a demand for this type of housing. Wasmoen noted other comments received from the Planning Commission involved the process of design and that it is their intention to include the neighbors in the discussion process but that they would like to gain the input of the City Council first before proceeding any further. McMillan asked whether there would be any stormwater ponding on the site. McMillan noted the site is pretty maxed out with homes. Wasmoen stated they have preliminarily contemplated that. The driveways would be constructed with more of a pervious material and the green spaces would be areas for gardens and areas that can absorb rainfall. Wasmoen noted Kelly Avenue at times floods from the wetlands and that it is not their intention to divert any more water into those areas. One option is to divert some of the water from the wetlands or divert it toward Shadywood, but they have not gotten into the details of that at this point. Bremer asked what the status is of acquiring the properties since the plan changes drastically depending on the number of properties that are obtained. Wasmoen indicated Mr. Besseman has knowledge of the availability of a number of the sites and that they have to negotiate purchase with the owners at some point. Wasmoen stated the development will be between 44 and 62 units depending on the number of lots acyuired. McMillan asked how many units would be in one of the row houses. Wasmoen stated the row house would have a smaller footprint and would consist of two stories. The row houses would be located closer together for a total of eight and would be located primarily on the Nelson property. Wasmoen indicated a row house would be a single unit and there would be four homes in a row at two different locations. Anderson noted the applicant mentioned the site could be something so much more than what it is right now but that she has an awful lot of concerns with regard to the plan as it relates to density. Anderson stated the conservation design is critical, especially as it relates to the tree inventory piece of it. Anderson indicated she has already heard from a few neighbors saying that there is really not much of a buffer proposed around the church and that they need to be certain that the steep slopes and bluffs are looked at. Anderson stated she understands this is a little premature, but that those are some of the things the Planning Commission and the City Council will have concern with. Page 7 of 21