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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 21,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Kelly Lowe, 105 Orono Orchard Road, noted she did submit a letter to the City. Lowe stated she is not <br /> anti-building but that she is a rule follower. Lowe stated she is not opposed to a development that is in <br /> the rural area with septic and water, but that does not mean they can get 15 lots. Lowe stated they might <br /> be able to get four or five homes. <br /> Lowe stated the land in back of the site is pristine, gorgeous, and hilly. Lowe stated the thought that any <br /> builder would come in and rip 10 to 15 feet off of the topography and put something like what has been <br /> proposed makes her ill. Lowe stated there are a number of violations going on with the proposed plan, <br /> which is what she is going to speak to. <br /> Lowe stated the top three northern lots are within 250 feet of the creek and they are not eligible for an <br /> RPUD unless there is a waiver. Lowe stated she does not want the City to grant a waiver in this case. <br /> Lowe stated she remodeled her home and stuck substantial money into it and followed the rules. Lowe <br /> noted she was not allowed to tap into the MUSA system. Lowe stated she anticipates that everyone <br /> around her in Orono should also follow the rules. <br /> Lowe stated the property is not in MUSA for a reason. The City's intent at the time the Comprehensive <br /> Plan was developed was to avoid creating new pockets of higher density within defined rural areas and <br /> she is asking the City to stick to that. <br /> Lowe stated the site also has steep slopes and that she would encourage the Planning Commissioners to <br /> visit the site. Any development on this site would significantly impact the topography, the vegetation, <br /> and the wildlife. Lowe requested the Planning Commission keep the zoning rural, and that if they want to <br /> put lovely homes with private septic sewers and wells,they can do that. <br /> Judy Wood, 1230 Woodhill Road, encouraged the Planning Commission to follow the Comprehensive <br /> Plan since it is a very important guiding document for Orono. <br /> Marsha Rokke, 180 Orono Orchard Road, stated the 2-acre zoning should remain as it is and that they <br /> need to keep Orono rural. <br /> Samantha Muldoon, 1801 West Farm Road, stated she is against changing the zoning since it is a <br /> departure from a historical standpoint and from the current plan. Muldoon stated the residents rely upon <br /> consistency and transparency from their government and also rely on them being fair to everyone. <br /> Muldoon stated they are all equal under the law and in her view this is changing the rules after the fact for <br /> someone who does not live in Orono. Muldoon stated they should play by the same rules the residents do <br /> and that they likely will find no shortage of people who would buy a lot. Muldoon stated she would like <br /> the site to stay as beautiful as it is now. <br /> Jamie Lowe, 105 Orono Orchard Road, stated the site is beautiful and reflects the best of Orono. Lowe <br /> commented he can appreciate that it will be developed someday but that it should be developed within the <br /> rules. Lowe noted there is no hardship and that what is being proposed is a substantial deviation from <br /> multiple government bodies. Lowe stated to allow development within the current framework is the best <br /> and most appropriate option. <br /> Lowe stated of the 15 people that were at the neighborhood meeting, not one single person was in support <br /> of the proposal, and that it would be a sad day when the rules are changed for no reasonable purpose. <br /> Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 9:06 p.m. <br /> Page 23 of 25 <br />