01-06-2014 Council Minutes Special Meeting

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 6, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 23 of 27 (1. #13-3638 and #13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL, LLC (PAT HILLER) O/B/O GRANT WENKSTERN (LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Anderson stated she wanted to come to this meeting and hear something more concrete by the citizens. Anderson commented she can picture some of these things happening that were envisioned by the residents but that it is not a concrete proposal at this point. Anderson stated the vision of the residents contained a number of great sentiments that she would like to see come to fruition, but when you look at the historic use of this site, it was guided as park and open space and zoned two-acre residential. Anderson stated she is wrestling most with that guiding principle, but that it has to be weighed against the rights of the property owner. Anderson indicated it is a hard decision for her and at this point she is still undecided. Levang stated she has met with the citizens group and she appreciates all the passion that they bring to the community. Levang stated she is grateful the citizens have challenged the City Council and enlightened the Council, which is good government in action. Levang indicated she ran for City Council because she wanted to know who was making the decisions in the City. Levang noted she was not on the City Council when the Comprehensive Plan was created but that it is not in line with the zoning for this property, which is a problem that must be resolved. Levang stated in her view this should not be kicked down the road any further. Levang stated the Wenksterns have allowed the residents to have use of this piece of property for a number of years and that she is thankful to them for that, but noted it is private property, which is what has to be taken into account. Levang noted the Comprehensive Plan talks about private open space, which reminds us that it is private space and brings into consideration the property rights of the landowner. Levang stated she does not feel the City has the resources to compensate the landowner in this case and that in her view the standards that are required by the City will hold the developer responsible and will take care of the environmental issues that have been raised. Levang indicated she will vote in favor of the Comprehensive Plan amendment. Bremer moved, Printup seconded, Application Nos. 13-3638 and 13-3639, Source Land Capital, LLC (Pat Hiller) on behalf of Grant Wenkstern (Lakeview Golf), 405 North Arm Drive, to direct Staff to draft a resolution approving the Comprehensive Plan amendment. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1, Anderson Opposed. Anderson stated she does not necessarily agree with changing the Comprehensive Plan even with the discrepancy with the zoning. Anderson stated the Comprehensive Plan is there for a purpose and that nothing else has changed in the City since the last time it was reviewed to justify changing it. (Recess taken from 9:31 p.m. – 9:44 p.m.) (Kristi Anderson is no longer present)