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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, October 21, 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 4 of 42  <br />  <br />Gaffron stated the Narrows Saloon currently operates under a conditional use permit issued in October of <br />2000 for a Class II restaurant serving liquor and with live entertainment. That conditional use permit <br />contains a number of conditions related to the liquor and live entertainment aspects of that use. The <br />proposed steak house is not proposed to have live entertainment but that may or may not be impacted by <br />the saloon use. Staff feels there may be some issues relative to noise levels other impacts given the close <br />proximity of the two uses. <br /> <br />As it relates to lighting, the proposed exterior lighting for the building is depicted as conical hood fixtures <br />above a lighted globe. To the extent the source of the light is shielded from off-site view, these fixtures <br />may be appropriate for the proposed use and locations. It would be the City’s intent to ensure that the <br />lighting has no negative impacts on the residential neighborhood to the north. <br /> <br />The applicant would be required to apply for and obtain a separate liquor license for the steak house <br />restaurant use. Expansion of the saloon to include outdoor food service seating may require a review of <br />the existing saloon liquor license. Gaffron noted that the Orono Police Department completed a records <br />search and found no noise or parking complaints regarding the Narrows Saloon since 2006. <br /> <br />Gaffron suggested the Planning Commission discuss the following in regards to this application: <br /> <br />1. Is the proposed location of the use in accord with the objectives of the Zoning Code and the <br /> purposes of the B-1 District and the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />2. Will the location of the proposed use and the proposed conditions under which it will be operated <br /> or maintained be detrimental to the public health, safety welfare, or be materially injurious to the <br /> properties or improvements in the vicinity. <br /> <br />3. Is the proposed use compatible with the surrounding business district and residential <br /> neighborhoods. If not, what aspects of the use make it incompatible and what methods are <br /> available to mitigate those aspects. <br /> <br />4. Is the proposed use supported by adequate infrastructure, primarily access and parking <br /> availability. <br /> <br />Staff recommends the following: <br /> <br />1. The Planning Commission should consider whether the proposed landscaping plan at the <br /> rear of the building is acceptable as a barrier or buffer to the parking lot and/or the <br /> residential neighborhood to the northwest, if such barrier or buffer is needed. <br /> <br />2. The Planning Commission should consider whether the proposed exterior seating at the <br /> rear of the building is appropriate for the B-1 District and under what standards or limitations <br /> such use should be allowed. <br /> <br /> Potential limitations or conditions could address appropriate numbers and location of seating <br /> in relation to lot lines, easements, building walls, hours of allowed outdoor seating use, lighting <br /> or outdoor seating, fencing for outdoor seating, the use of umbrellas or other amenities, <br /> whether and where such outside seating may be appropriate for liquor service, how such <br /> service is controlled, and any other aspects of outdoor seating that should be reviewed. <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 11/18/2013 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 10/21/2013 <br />[Page 4 of 42]