11-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 31 PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS – DENISE LESKINEN, REPRESENTATIVE Leskinen stated she had nothing to report but would be available for questions. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dennis Walsh, 1354 Rest Point Circle, stated he appreciates the public comment portion of the meeting since it gives the residents an opportunity to discuss items that are not on the Council’s agenda. Walsh stated he has noticed over the last number of meetings that there has been some trouble with people being able to speak before votes and motions are taken. Walsh stated the reason the City has the public comment portion is to talk about things that are not on the agenda and that the public should be given a better opportunity to talk about items that are on the agenda before any motion or vote. Walsh noted he has had conversations with the Mayor about this and that the Mayor has disagreed that she needs to ask for public input. Walsh indicated the Mayor has not provided any explanation for the reason why she does not need to ask for public input on agenda items and that in his view the City Council should not be able to limit public input on agenda items since the public comment portion of the meeting is really the only time the public has a chance to comment on something. Walsh stated the solution is that the Council adopt and acknowledge the fact that this is a public meeting and that the City Council will ask for public input before any motion or vote on all agenda items. Walsh stated in his view he should not have to say that is how it should work and that there should be rules and procedures in place to allow the public to have input on applications. Walsh stated he hopes the City Council will think about that. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 4. #14-3669 MARK AND KRISTEN ANDERSON, 3850 WATERTOWN ROAD – REVISED GRADING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PLAN City Planner Curtis stated in June of 2014, the City Council approved a conditional use permit allowing grading and filling activities on the property located at 3850 Watertown Road. The conditional use permit authorized deposition of approximately 10,000 cubic yards of fill material on the lot with conditions, including an optional review by the Planning Commission and City Council as needed as well as conformity with the requirements of the City Engineer. Over the duration of the project, the number of trucks hauling material and equipment has resulted in a number of phone calls to the City. Staff reviewed the haul routes and redirected the route over County Road 6 and Watertown Road. The property owner’s contractor has made repairs to damaged areas of Watertown Road and a final repair of damage will be conducted by the City and paid for by the property owner. Upon inspection of the amount of material and disturbance area on the site, it was found that it exceeded the extent of the approved plan. At that time Staff requested a revised plan for review. According to the property owner, the actual amount of material brought to the site is 17,000 cubic yards, which is an increase of 7,320 cubic yards or 1.7 times the approved level.