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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, August 19 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 26 of 28  <br />  <br /> <br />Gaffron stated the neighborhood reaction to the removal of a large number of trees in the past for the <br />senior living housing was rather loud and the question becomes how well the development can be <br />screened. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if it would be easier to screen an office building versus a number of residential units. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated that would depend on the layout of the units. <br /> <br />McGrann asked if there would be views of the lake on top of the hill. <br /> <br />Wasmoen stated it is difficult to tell at this point given the large number of trees and that the existing <br />residential properties already have a fairly good buffer. Wasmoen indicated going forward they would <br />look at that but the initial feeling is that there will only be a walkway down the hill and to the beach and <br />back. Wasmoen stated they will not be constructing a four-story building on top of the hill. <br /> <br />McGrann stated in his view this is a good use of the property and that the concerns of the neighbors will <br />definitely need to be kept in mind. <br /> <br />Schwingler stated he agrees with Commissioner McGrann that this may be a better use for the property <br />but that impacts on traffic will need to be taken into consideration as well as the number of units. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit stated the City has a poor track record on commercial development and that it will likely not <br />happen anytime in the near future. Schoenzeit stated the proposed residential townhome development <br />appears to be a good use of the property but the number of units being proposed seems high. Schoenzeit <br />commented this development may be difficult to sell to the neighborhood and that screening of the units <br />as well as terracing will need to be given some serious consideration. <br /> <br />Wasmoen commented this site has been underused for a number of years and that anything that is <br />proposed for this site will likely run into those types of roadblocks with the neighbors. Wasmoen stated <br />in his opinion this solution is a softer sell versus a commercial development and that there is an <br />opportunity for it to be a win/win solution to the general area as well as bring more value to the property. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit stated they may also have to look beyond the immediate area to help sell the project and that <br />the positive impacts on the Navarre business district should be considered as well. <br /> <br />Thiesse noted a considerable amount of thought has been given to the zoning districts included in the <br />City’s Comprehensive Plan and that it will likely not be changed quickly. Thiesse stated the input of the <br />neighbors will weigh heavily into his decision. <br /> <br />Lemke stated this is a good location for the development but that it will be difficult to sell to the <br />neighbors. <br />Landgraver stated a good communications plan with the nearby residents is essential. Landgraver stated <br />given the fact that this area has been zoned commercial for the past 40 years and nothing has been built <br />there, at times the market speaks to the City and says that perhaps something else should be considered. <br /> <br />John Bessesen, 4500 North Shore Drive, stated he has lived in this area for 37 years and that he has <br />looked at this site for a long time. Bessesen noted the property near the intersection would be a piece of <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 09/16/2013 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 08/19/2013 [Page 26 of 28]