10-24-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 10, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 11. #16-3855 ERIC AND ANDREA LARSON, 690 BROW ROAD NORTH, SCOTT AND JEANNE MABUSTH, 740 BROWN ROAD NORTH — SKETCH PLAN REVIEW (continued) Goodrum stated they appreciated the comments from the neighbors and that they have listened to their comments at the Planning Commission meeting. Goodrum noted they did take a look at the traffic as a result of those concerns expressed and that they have been reassured that what this project does is not going to negatively impact the character of the surrounding properties. McMillan stated she appreciates the fact that they kept it at two acres within the 250 -foot area. McMillan noted the City has given a lot of thought on how to mitigate the higher density piece. McMillan stated the longer she lives here, there are more people saying they would like smaller lots since they do not want to maintain a 2 -acre lot. McMillan noted as part of the Lakeview development, 60 acres were placed into conservation, which will be maintained by the homeowners association. McMillan stated she also appreciates the time and energy they have put into the plan but that there are some difficult situations in the northeast section given the contour of the lake. McMillan indicated she is not a big fan of having a lot of cul-de-sacs in a development like this, and given the way the lakeshore is, it makes it difficult to carve up the lots without a road going in there, which will have a lot of impact. McMillan commented she cannot get comfortable with the current design and that she would encourage them to stay with the two acre lots. McMillan stated if they want to pursue an RPUD, she would encourage them to bring it back as a sketch plan. McMillan stated they are right about clustering on the south and west sections, but given the sensitivity with the creek, they really need to keep this as a two -acre development. McMillan noted two acre sewered properties are very valuable since it allows for more of the property to be used and enjoyed. McMillan stated she appreciates the developer attempting to mitigate the density, but putting a lot of mechanical stormwater equipment makes her nervous since it will need to be maintained properly after the property is developed and the developer is gone. McMillan indicated she would rather have nature make it work. Goodrum stated he appreciates the comments but noted they are looking at an 87 percent improvement in the runoff. Goodrum noted if they went with two acre lots on the entire property, the road would be the same, and that he does not see a lot of change by going with a straight 2 -acre zoning. McMillan stated with an RPUD, they could have bigger lots by the lake and perhaps some smaller lots by Brown Road. McMillan stated they could consider perhaps having some 3 -acre lots by the lake and 1 -acre lots by Brown Road. McMillan stated that would be a way to get rid of the cul-de-sac road. Levang stated it is a beautiful piece of property, but how it is currently laid out seems to be too tight, too clustered, and that in her view a better plan can be created. Levang stated in her view there are better options and that larger parcels are still very highly valued. Levang stated if the entrance into the development consists of the smaller lots, the larger lots may be harder to sell. Levang stated she also is not happy with the rain gardens since most people do not know how to maintain them. Levang noted there are examples in the City where rain gardens have been done and the residents do not realize they require work and regular maintenance. Levang stated she understands they can cover that in their HOA documents, but that there are a lot of rain gardens proposed and that she is not sure the residents are going to do what the developer might think they are going to do. Page 17 of 26