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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 13 of 35  <br />  <br />Leskinen asked if simply having a walking easement rather than a defined path would satisfy the City’s <br />recreation requirement. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated in his view the language of that requirement does not provide enough direction in that <br />regard. The language reads that 10 percent of the gross area shall be provided for active or passive use <br />suited to the needs of the residents of the project. This recreation area could include swimming pools, <br />trails, nature areas, picnic areas, tot lots and saunas. Gaffron stated in his view it is doubtful the <br />recreation area in Glendale Cove Doubt gets any use by the neighborhood but it was accepted, along with <br />the trail connection to the south side of the church parking lot, as meeting the recreation requirements. <br />Part of the thought process in that development was whether the City needs to provide a recreation area <br />for that neighborhood since it is right across from Hackberry Park. <br /> <br />McGrann asked what the setback would be for a walking easement. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated a walking or trail easement that abuts the Willow property line would be ten feet wide <br />and would match the drainage and utility easement. <br /> <br />McGrann stated he was thinking of the area to the north. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated he is not sure how good of a deal a trail easement would be for the City or the residents to <br />the north. Gaffron stated whether there needs to be physical access to the utility easement is something <br />the Public Works Department should look at and whether they have a need to get back there. Gaffron <br />noted there is a sewer line that comes from the Hackberry neighborhood straight across and that he does <br />not know whether there is an existing easement for that sewer line. <br /> <br />Thiesse stated if there is an easement already and they could be used for the same purpose, then this <br />applicant would not need to provide more. Thiesse asked if the conservation easement would count <br />towards the recreation area. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated that would be up to the Planning Commission and City Council. <br /> <br />Thiesse commented if that is the case, the applicant would have already met his recreation area <br />requirement. <br /> <br />Leskinen stated she would rather see the area be left natural. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated in his view there is no need to improve it. <br /> <br />Schwingler commented that would make more sense than creating an outlot. Schwingler asked if there <br />are many lots in Glendale Cove that have less than a 90-foot width. <br /> <br />Gaffron indicated it is his recollection they all met the 90-foot width with very few lots being located on <br />the cul-de-sac. Gaffron indicated in this development functionally there are four lots on the cul-de-sac <br />and there is a much tighter situation than Glendale Cove. <br /> <br />Thiesse asked if there are other lots in the City that are located on a cul-de-sac with less than 90 feet <br />width. <br /> <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 <br />[Page 13 of 35]