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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, September 16, 2016 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 28 of 34  <br />  <br />Gaffron stated in his view it would be difficult. If you look at the lot that has the X on it, only the <br />contiguous dry buildable would be counted. Gaffron indicated it would require someone to spend some <br />time redesigning the lots to see whether it could be done. <br /> <br />George Stickney, Developer, stated he is here tonight representing the Slechta family. Stickney indicated <br />he does have a fair amount of background in subdivisions. Ownership of this property started in 1937 and <br />has remained in the family for a significant number of years. The property consists of over four acres in <br />dry buildable. <br /> <br />Stickney indicated he likes the second option, which he calls the smiley face plan, in that the <br />configuration provides greater widths to the lots and protects more of the natural features of the property. <br /> <br />Stickney stated he also looked at the overall area and the typical lot sizes. The general area on the north <br />side of Togo Road consists of 37 properties. Out of those 37 properties, 20 of them do not have 100 feet <br />of width and 18 of the properties are less than a half-acre. Stickney indicated he did not separate dry <br />buildable in that estimation. Stickney reiterated that the second option created by Mr. Gaffron is very <br />workable and would be compatible with the neighborhood. Stickney stated the family is very sensitive to <br />the neighbors’ concerns and that Staff would likely support option two. <br /> <br />Todd Holmers, Applicant, stated he is here tonight representing Landsource, LLC. Holmers stated he <br />would be in agreement with everything that Mr. Stickney has said and that they are not attempting to do <br />anything other than developing this property as much as possible with the six lots. Holmers indicated he <br />is fine with preserving the back part of the property as long as it meets the requirements of the City’s <br />PUD. <br /> <br />Lemke asked if it was reduced to five lots whether that would be a deal breaker. <br />Holmers stated in his view it probably would be. <br /> <br />Stickney stated in his view the development can conform in a number of ways and still maintain the six <br />lots. Stickney stated the layout of the lots in the smiley face option works pretty well and is a reasonable <br />option in relation to the rest of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />McGrann stated it sounds like there would be a better return for the property owners under the smiley face <br />option. McGrann asked if that would be preferable over reducing it to five lots. <br /> <br />Stickney indicated he did look at six lots with a couple of small cul-de-sacs that would be conforming but <br />it is likely the neighbors would not prefer that layout. Stickney stated in his view option two would be an <br />ideal way to preserve the back portion of the site and that in his view it is very appealing. <br /> <br />Stickney stated as it relates to the right-of-way, the 30 feet that was dedicated a number of years ago is an <br />adequate scenario. If the Planning Commission is worried about the Railroad Authority denying it, Staff <br />should point out the fact that there would need to be additional right-of-way dedicated from the other <br />properties along Northern Avenue which is probably not going to happen. <br /> <br />Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 9:08 p.m. <br /> <br />Jon Knollenberg, 3775 Togo Road, stated his property is located next to this property and that he has <br />lived there for 25 years. Knollenberg stated part of the reason he and the neighbors appreciate this area is <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 10/21/2013 <br />Approval of PC Minutes 09/16/2013 [Page 28 of 34]