01-06-2014 Council Minutes Special Meeting

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 6, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 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) b. Presentation by Citizens for Lakeview Preservation Bryce Johnson noted on November 12 the City Council heard the proposal presented for Lakeview Golf Course and learned that there was a group of concerned citizens that wanted time to consider an alternative. Ten days after that, Citizens for Lakeview Preservation was incorporated and began its activities to seek broader support for this alternative, believing it to be exactly what Orono’s Comprehensive Plan suggests they do. Johnson commented the group has thoroughly enjoyed the encouragement and engagement with fellow citizens. The group originally started as a neighborhood group but it has evolved into over 1,000 concerned citizens who have signed the petition. Johnson stated over 100 names were added on Saturday alone and that less than 40 of those residents were notified as neighboring properties to this proposed development. Johnson commented this proposed development has truly become a concern that has far transcended the neighborhood and that there is a large group of residents who have become fierce proponents of Orono, its philosophy, and the reasons that they have chosen to live in Orono. Johnson stated their message consists of three parts: One, to preserve Lakeview as open space for all citizens and future generations; two, protect the integrity of the Community Management Plan contained within the City’s Comprehensive Plan; and three, respect the property rights of the owner. Johnson noted there are many people in their group who believe people have property rights. Johnson stated he first would like to talk about what it means to protect the Comprehensive Plan and respect the rights of the property owner. Johnson stated it was initially felt the plan was clear with its references throughout to preservation and open space, but then it was pointed out that Lakeview was also zoned residential. It was also later pointed out that everything in Orono was zoned residential, such as the parks and other golf courses besides Lakeview. Johnson indicated their group is concerned about facts and that they do not want to mislead anyone about this application and that they have sought the best legal minds to answer questions and provide legal opinions to the City Council. The same is true as it relates to property rights and that the group feels tremendous empathy with the Wenksterns. Johnson questioned what a change to the Comprehensive Plan really means, and asked whether anyone can obtain a zoning change as a property right or whenever there is an opportunity to realize a special profit. Johnson stated there is a huge range of beliefs concerning this property and that the group instinctively felt the property owner should have the right to sell their property. There were also a number of environmental issues that were raised by the City Council and the citizens at the November 12 meeting. Johnson noted the group has hired an environmental firm to speak tonight on those issues. In addition, a concern was raised concerning the marketability of such a development, and the group has sought experts to find out what that really means. Johnson indicated those are the people that will be addressing the City Council tonight.