03-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 17 (4. #14-3648 BEN GOODWIN, 565 LEAF STREET AND 550 OXFORD ROAD, VARIANCE, Continued) Levang indicated the City Engineer has stated an 8-foot fence will not make much difference. Levang stated she has visited the property several times and that she does not see how two more feet will make any difference. Heather Goodwin stated they have young children and that when they are in their back yard, there is an expectation from the church owners that it will be quiet. Goodwin indicated their children have a trampoline and periodically have friends over, but they feel they cannot be in their back yard in the lower level when there is a wedding going on. Goodwin stated their kids would like to enjoy their back yard and that they understand the fence is not going to deter people from seeing them up near the house. Levang stated she does not believe the owner of the church has any expectation that the neighbors will not be in their back yards and that they understand it is a residential area. Ben Goodwin noted he has invited Council Member Levang to the property. Levang indicated she has visited the property a number of times but that he was not there today when she visited the property. Goodwin stated he had also asked to meet with Council Member Levang and she did not want to do that. Levang indicated she did not meet with him because she had the impression that he was attempting to bias her and she would like to remain unbiased. Goodwin noted Council Member Levang has met several times with the owners of the chapel. Levang stated she has the right to meet with the adjoining property owners. Goodwin stated he was hoping Council Member Levang would listen to their side of the argument. Levang indicated she is listening to his side of the argument and that she also attended the Planning Commission meeting expressly for the purpose of listening to the discussion regarding this application. Levang stated she is not biased on this application. Goodwin stated he is not claiming any bias on the part of Council Member Levang. Levang asked what his point was by mentioning that she has met with the owners of the chapel and not with him. Goodwin stated she is contesting some of the things they have said. Levang indicated she is because she does not believe they are true. Printup asked the applicant to describe the trees that he has planted.