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) Levang indicated she is not afraid of new technology but that it would be good to have documentation on how the newer technology has functioned. Levang stated she would like to see more cohesion between the plan and that there seems to be three different areas. Levang stated she likes the fact that when someone drives down Brown Road, they will only see the two monuments and then nothing but trees. Levang stated in her view it would be a good idea to maintain that. Levang stated while it is not a terrible plan, she would like to see a better plan. Goodrum pointed out the green is basically the front yard and the yellow depicts the pervious pavers on the driveway. Goodrum stated even though they have separate colors on the sketch plan, there is a nice cohesiveness to the development and that it will blend into a natural neighborhood. Council Member Cornick stated he is uncomfortable with the density. Matt Duffy pointed out a lot of the technologies that are being proposed are tried and true and are not a shot in the dark. Duffy stated he understands the concern with the rain gardens but that there are cities where they have been implemented and work very well. T Duffy stated the reason why the development is as dense as it is is because the proposed improvements cost money. At the end of the day, when the improvements are done around Dickey Creek, there will be an improvement in the lake water. Duffy stated the density drives those improvements and that they are not asking for anything that is not already in the City's ordinances and that the development is consistent with the area. Duffy stated the property is unique from the standpoint that it provides a very fundamental opportunity to improve the lake water in a cutting-edge way and that it will be an example to other developments on how to improve lake quality. Duffy stated from their perspective, it matches and creates a very cohesive plan with the other neighborhoods and amenities around the site. McMillan stated it appears that the density is the biggest issue. Levang stated she would like to hear from the neighbors on how they feel about the water quality and preserving the character of the land and the neighborhood. McMillan noted once the natural features are preserved, it will change the layout of the lots depending on how extensive the enhancements are. McMillan asked if Staff has had any discussions with the Watershed District regarding this development. Gaffron stated he had a phone call with the Watershed District this afternoon and that they indicated they have not visited the site and have not really had any discussions with the applicant. Gaffron stated a notice of decision has not yet been submitted and his understanding is that the Watershed District has not done much analysis of the property. Page 18 of 26