09-09-2013 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 26, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 21 (7. #13-3621 THOMAS WASMOEN ON BEHALF OF JOHN BESSESEN, 2445, 2455, 2465 SHADYWOOD ROAD, 2560 KELLY AVENUE, AND PID 20-117-23-11-0032 – SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Wasmoen noted the Planning Commission raised a concern about the large number of trees that might be lost. A tree inventory will be done and there will be a significant effort made during the design process to protect as many trees as possible. The buffer along the wetlands will not be disrupted. In addition, a market study will also be completed to make sure there is a demand for this type of housing. Wasmoen noted other comments received from the Planning Commission involved the process of design and that it is their intention to include the neighbors in the discussion process but that they would like to gain the input of the City Council first before proceeding any further. McMillan asked whether there would be any stormwater ponding on the site. McMillan noted the site is pretty maxed out with homes. Wasmoen stated they have preliminarily contemplated that. The driveways would be constructed with more of a pervious material and the green spaces would be areas for gardens and areas that can absorb rainfall. Wasmoen noted Kelly Avenue at times floods from the wetlands and that it is not their intention to divert any more water into those areas. One option is to divert some of the water from the wetlands or divert it toward Shadywood, but they have not gotten into the details of that at this point. Bremer asked what the status is of acquiring the properties since the plan changes drastically depending on the number of properties that are obtained. Wasmoen indicated Mr. Besseman has knowledge of the availability of a number of the sites and that they have to negotiate purchase with the owners at some point. Wasmoen stated the development will be between 44 and 62 units depending on the number of lots acquired. McMillan asked how many units would be in one of the row houses. Wasmoen stated the row house would have a smaller footprint and would consist of two stories. The row houses would be located closer together for a total of eight and would be located primarily on the Nelson property. Wasmoen indicated a row house would be a single unit and there would be four homes in a row at two different locations. Anderson commented there are a number of concerns she has with regard to the level of density. Anderson stated in her view the Conservation Design is very critical for this site and that there is not much of a buffer being proposed between this development and the church as well as the slope. Wasmoen indicated the Conservation Design would be part of the design process and that at this time they are attempting to gauge the interest of the City for this type of development before proceeding any further. Wasmoen noted they omitted some trees for clarity on the plan but that there would be trees on every property. In addition, the green area by the church is also not depicted. The driveway is shown to be as efficient as possible but it can be moved slightly away from the property lines in order to add additional green buffer areas. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/09/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 08/26/2013 [Page 7 of 21]