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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, June 23, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 18 of 30 (8. 14-3666 LUKE KUJAWA ON BEHALF OF EOF INVESTMENTS, LLC, 1440-1442 SHORELINE DRIVE – REZONING, Continued) McMillan commented the parking lot being proposed is huge. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission looked at the site and did not believe a 10-foot setback from the neighbor’s property was adequate for a buffer. From a Staff’s perspective, a 5 to 10-foot setback from the lake does not provide the protection that the City would like from an environmental standpoint. McMillan noted what is being proposed cannot be built given the lack of setback from the lake and is not realistic. Gaffron stated the plan helps illustrates how to achieve parking and how close they are to meeting the standard. Gaffron stated in order to gain additional setback to the lake, one of the rows of parking would need to be eliminated. McMillan stated elimination of one of residential properties would improve the current situation. Kujawa stated there are a few things that are important to consider if they want to keep 1440 residential. Kujawa noted the property has been used commercially over the years and that Mr. Johnson did purchase his property next to a property that was partially zoned commercial. Both of the residential lots have an easement over them that have been in place for a number of years and was the case when Mr. Johnson purchased his property. Kujawa noted the shoreline has also been taken into account when determining the number of dock slips that would be allowed. Kujawa stated when they first started this process approximately four years ago, there was a list of issues that had to be addressed, which they have been doing. A valet company was hired last year to be there on the weekends to reduce the parking issues and the City has basically insisted that there is a permanent lease over those residential properties, which makes it difficult to say that the properties are residential. Kujawa stated those properties have basically existed as commercial for the past 40 years. Kujawa stated one of the biggest issues that came up four years ago and has been a recurring issue is the fact that there is two entrances to the parking area and there is nowhere for anyone with a trailer to pull in and turn around. Elimination of one of the entrances has been a main issue and that steps have been taken to keep all the vehicles on the side of the boat club, but that it is very difficult to accomplish. Kujawa noted there is marina on the other side of Tanager Bay that has zero parking available on their site and that all their customers need to cross the road. Kujawa stated requiring them to have all their parking on the same side is unfair given the other marina. Kujawa stated they have been attempting to improve the situation and clean up the residential lots but that there is no much room left for residential when you take the parking easement into consideration. Kujawa indicated they have spent a number of hours with the Planning Commission and Staff in an attempt to improve the situation long-term. McMillan stated there is a reason that it has not been 100 percent commercial and that is because there has always been a feeling on the Council’s part of trying to protect the residential area. McMillan stated the shoreline for 1440 and 1442 has been used to calculate dock slips but the idea was not to have the docks be located at 1442 or 1440. McMillan stated the City has always been hesitant to let those two lots go 100 percent commercial. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 07/14/2014 Approval of Council Minutes 06/23/2014 [Page 18 of 30]