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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 18, 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 12 of 35  <br />  <br />Abbott stated the walking easement will not be a paved trail or otherwise and that they are really looking <br />at it as an easement that is there for the inhabitants of the development. Abbott stated in reading the <br />language of the recreation area, it is set out for the inhabitants of the development. Abbott stated he does <br />not believe there will be a large number of people walking in the area of Justin or Steve’s property and <br />that the trail will help alleviate concerns with safety. <br /> <br />Landgraver indicated he is not clear exactly what is being proposed for that area. <br /> <br />Abbott indicated it would be a walking easement and not a defined path. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked what would happen with the existing driveway. <br /> <br />Abbott stated that would be dug up and the portion of the land that is designated as Outlot A would be <br />given to the Martins. Another portion of the driveway would be dug up and put into lawn. Abbott <br />indicated it is their intention to remove all the scrub bushes and trees. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if that trail terminates at some point. <br /> <br />Abbott stated it does terminate near Justin’s property but it will provide access to the conservation area. <br /> <br />Landgraver stated in Staff’s comments it was noted that in another situation the City had those recreation <br />areas or trees converted into an outlot versus being part of the individual parcels. Landgraver asked if the <br />developer has any thoughts about that. <br /> <br />Abbott stated when that issue was raised by Staff, his initial reaction was that if he was one of the owners <br />of Lots 3, 4, or 5 and there is an outlot giving access over the entire triangle, in his view traffic would be a <br />lot greater than if it were simply a walking path and that it would bring the value of those lots down if that <br />becomes a recreation area. Abbott reiterated it would simply be a walking easement and not a defined <br />path. <br /> <br />Abbott stated the parking in this area is an important issue. Abbott stated with the homes being set back <br />further from the road, that will allow for a little more property either on their own lot or elsewhere. <br />Abbott indicated he would like to push those homes back and that more than likely they will be built <br />further back than 25 feet, which should help to alleviate the parking. <br /> <br />Leskinen asked whether the tree preservation area would be a no build zone. <br /> <br />Abbott stated he is not completely familiar with that and that it is sort of a set-aside area. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated it is Staff’s expectation that there will be a conservation easement over that area which <br />would likely not allow any outbuildings or fences. Gaffron indicated that is up for discussion at this point <br />but that his idea of a tree preservation area and a conservation easement is that they are basically the same <br />thing. <br /> <br />Abbott asked if someone could walk back there. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated they could. <br /> <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 <br />[Page 12 of 35]