07-21-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, June 16, 2014 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 18 Leskinen stated she is in agreement and that it might not be an option for the Planning Commission to recommend a full rezoning at this stage. Leskinen stated in his view the best and only option is to let the City Council know that the Planning Commission is leaning toward a rezoning to some sort of subdistrict in an attempt to appease everybody to the best extent they can but that the Planning Commission needs the City Council’s blessing to move forward with the subdistrict rezoning. Leskinen stated she also does not know if keeping the situation the way it is is worthwhile and that she would recommend the Planning Commission pursuecreation of a subdistrict based on approval by the City Council. Lemke moved, Landgraver seconded, Application No. 14-3666, Luke Kujawa on Behalf of EOF Investments, LLC, 1440 and 1442 Shoreline Drive, Rezoning, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City pursue the creation of a B-2 subdistrict to act as a transition zone between commercial marina properties and adjacent residential properties, and that the Planning Commission requests Council approval for the Planning Commission to proceed with formulation of appropriate standards for such a subdistrict. Schoenzeit stated the motion should also address the sequencing with the Comprehensive Plan Lemke amended his motion, Landgraver seconded, Application No. 14-3666, Luke Kujawa on Behalf of EOF Investments, LLC, 1440 and 1442 Shoreline Drive, Rezoning, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City pursue the creation of a B-2 subdistrict to act as a transition zone between commercial marina properties and adjacent residential properties, and that the Planning Commission requests Council approval for the Planning Commission to proceed with formulation of appropriate standards for such a subdistrict, and to recommend that the process of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment be commenced prior to any rezoning taking place. Thiesse asked if the motion can be more site specific. Thiesse indicated he has a concern the City may be setting themselves up to this happening on other marinas throughout the City. Leskinen noted the motion is just to have the Council’s blessing to explore the creation of a B-2 subdistrict. Thiesse stated they are looking to create a transition zone between commercial marina properties and residential properties, which is throughout the City and not just specifically this property. Gaffron stated in his view a Comprehensive Plan Amendment could be site specific even though some members of the public would like it to be city-wide. Gaffron noted the City Council has a great deal of discretion in deciding which properties should be rezoned and that any similar properties would have to go through the same rezoning process. Gaffron stated the City has been site specific in the past with Comprehensive Plan Amendments and that it is his belief any Comprehensive Plan Amendment that moves forward would be for this specific property but that other properties could make the same type of application. Gaffron stated a subdistrict could be created for this specific property and that language could be built into the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and the rezoning giving the City the ability to limit the types of properties that could be included in the subdistrct. Leskinen asked if the Planning Commission can go forward with the creation of a subdistrict since there is not a Comprehensive Plan Amendment before the Planning Commission tonight. Item #03 - PC Agenda - 07/21/2014 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 06/16/14 [Page 9 of 18]