04-14-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 14, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 22 of 30 (18. POLICE GARAGE AND ADDITION PROJECT, 2750 KELLEY PARKWAY, Continued) (a) Site Plan Review and Variance (Public Hearing), Continued Kleineman stated the entryway into the City Hall has been changed to provide one small central counter with three work areas that are separated with dividers to provide more privacy. Visitors to the City Hall building will also no longer be able to look into the area occupied by Staff. Kleineman noted the cost associated with the site work is a significant number due to the soft soil conditions and the deteriorating condition of the parking lot. The other factor that is important to point out is that the project also includes the installation of new mechanical equipment that will help improve the overall temperature control in the building. Bremer asked whether there would be any benefit to phasing the project or whether the City would experience more cost savings by completing the entire project at one time. Kleineman stated in order to do the floor plan for the Police Department in the most efficient manner, it would be best to do the project all at one time. Kleineman stated the soil conditions need to be improved and phasing of the project would make it difficult to store the soil and would require the soil to be dug up and moved. Mark Kotton, Kraus-Anderson, stated given the current site layout, the proposed garage expansion is over a portion of the existing parking lot and approximately half of the parking lot would be eliminated during the construction. Cotton stated in order to make the site flow properly during construction, phasing of the project would be difficult. Cotton stated the soils are very challenging on this site based on the geotechnical information and that they would like to be able to utilize whatever they can. Cotton stated otherwise the soil would need to be hauled off the site, which would be very expensive. Cotton stated the overall duration of the project is approximately three months, and if it is completed in phases, it would extend out over six months. McMillan stated a number of good solutions have been arrived at. Levang stated she appreciated seeing the photographs of the interior police department building and that they help illustrate for the residents how chaotic the space really is. Levang noted the addition will be very minimal. Loftus suggested Planner Curtis present the wetland and land use information at this time. Curtis stated the garage addition comprises approximately 7,800 square feet of the proposed new structure that is depicted on the overhead. Although the City Hall campus is located in the RR-1B District, the project is non-residential in scope and requires a site plan review to add the addition to the building and improve the parking areas. The site plan approval also includes a wetland setback variance due to the existence of a small wetland extending as close as 20 feet to the proposed new parking lot on the southeast parking area. All other hardcover and structural improvements either meet the City’s 35-foot setback from the wetland or are pre-existing. Curtis noted the Planning Commission has not reviewed this application. Pursuant to City Code 78-122, the City Council is authorized to waive reference of the variance review to the Planning Commission for the public hearing. Curtis noted a unanimous vote is required in order to waive the Planning Commission’s review.