09-12-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, August 15, 2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Anderst stated no one has taken into consideration how many other coffee shops and bakeries there are in the area. Anderst stated he believes Orono needs to stick to more retail and services and not a production bakery. John O'Sullivan, noted he owns the adjacent property consisting of Culver's and the Holiday Station. O'Sullivan stated he did not want to come here to say anything negative since this property has been sitting vacant for seven years but that he does have two concerns about the proposal. O'Sullivan indicated when they co -developed the corner, they actually held a number of public meetings for the community to see what they would like to see in the old church property. An overwhelming number said they need a pharmacy in the area, which led to the development of the Snyder's building. The City approved the Snyder building due to the low density and the limited number of customers that would be there at one time. O'Sullivan indicated he seldom saw more than six to twelve parking stalls filled at one time but the traffic to the building was steady throughout the day. The City at that time was very concerned about the parking. O'Sullivan noted there are 20 stalls that they utilize and that they have an easement for the parking on their property as well as the other 20 stalls. O'Sullivan stated the gentleman indicated that they have the use of their parking as well, which he does not believe is correct. O'Sullivan stated that was never the intention of the agreement and that they have a lifetime easement over those 20 parking stalls. O'Sullivan stated that will need to be looked into and that it is his belief it is a one-way easement. O'Sullivan noted there is a Patrick's in Maple Grove and it is a full-service restaurant, not a coffee and bagel shop. O'Sullivan stated the City needs to be familiar with what the business really is. O'Sullivan indicated he is not worried about the competition since it might help his business and that Patrick's will not be competing with his menu items. O'Sullivan stated his second concern relates to the other couple of vacant lots that are not currently zoned for restaurants. O'Sullivan stated this site is not zoned for a restaurant but that it is zoned for a coffee/bagel shop, which is likely a very small percentage of the applicant's business. O'Sullivan stated he is worried other restaurants will want to come in if this application is approved. Page 6 of 15