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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 25, 2008 7:00 o’clock p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ (5. #08-3344 CITY OF ORONO, BIG ISLAND PARK PROPERTY, Continued) Mattick stated the City Council can direct Staff to prepare an approval resolution and that all the requirements of the City have been met. Bremer noted she was in attendance at the Planning Commission meeting and that in her view she felt the Planning Commission had a good discussion regarding the application and that there was some concern expressed about the impact that four docks would have the island. Bremer stated it was not clear from the information given to the Planning Commission that they were not to review the number of docks and that the Planning Commission also received comment from Mike Gaffron to the effect that “I think it is a good idea to approve half and then get the second public hearing before allowing others to be built.” Bremer stated in her view the Planning Commission relies on Staff to focus them on the issues involved in an application. Bremer suggested a joint meeting with the City Council and the Big Island Committee would be beneficial and recommended that a representative from the Planning Commission be invited to attend. In essence, the Planning Commission relies on the direction of staff to know what issues need to be discussed and reviewed and that in her view the Commissioners asked a number of good questions. Bremer noted that whenever the City is the applicant, the City Council has already reviewed the work and given the go-ahead to Staff to file an application. Kempf stated the situation was rather unusual since it was coming from the City and that it was his understanding the issues were up for discussion. Kempf stated it appeared to him that the application was submitted kind of on the fly given the lack of survey information and that the Planning Commission felt they did not have enough information to be assured that the proposed work would not negatively impact the island. Kempf commented he would like to see the Minnehaha dock at Big Island but that the Planning Commission had concerns and uncertainty about what the future use of the island was going to be and the impact that four docks would have on the island. Kempf noted the resident in attendance at the meeting raised concerns regarding the wake from large boats and erosion and that he personally still questions the need for four 100 foot docks with concrete pads on Big Island and the impression that it would give as the entrance place to the island. Murphy stated information needs to be transmitted better from the committee to staff and then to the Planning Commission. Murphy noted that there are issues dealing with timing of the work that have been discussed thoroughly by the committee and that the work needs to be completed in the very near future to avoid additional costs. Jabbour stated the Planning Commission does not have the authority to limit the number of docks and that the LMCD regulates the number of docks. Jabbour recommended the hierarchy of the different organizations be explained to the Planning Commission. Jabbour asked whether the only issue that was for review by the Planning Commission was the construction of the concrete pads. Gaffron stated it was clear from Staff’s memo that the variances had to do with the concrete pads. The docks became a factor in determining how much hardcover was appropriate. PAGE 7 of 12 Item #02 - CC Agenda - 03/10/08 Approval of Coucil Minutes 02/25/08 [Page 7 of 12]