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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 19, 2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> stated a police officer directing traffic would be far more efficient than a stoplight. Schoenzeit <br /> encouraged the City to move this intersection up to a higher priority independent of what happens with <br /> this property. <br /> Chair Thiesse reopened the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. <br /> John Frewalds noted the latest edition of Lakeshore has an article written by him regarding the traffic in <br /> this area. Frewalds commented the Lakeshore Weekly liked his article on traffic so much he will be <br /> doing a regular column on it. Frewalds stated a good way to look at traffic is to look at it as a glass that is <br /> full,and then when you add two more drops,it overflows,which is where they are right now. <br /> Frewalds noted they have had to add boulders at the cul-de-sac since GPS shows that it is a through road. <br /> Frewalds suggested the speed limit from Shadywood down to County Road 30 be reduced. <br /> Thiesse noted it is a county road and that only the state can change it. <br /> Thiesse closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. <br /> Thiesse stated he cannot get over the height of the building in the back. Thiesse stated in his view this <br /> site is a condominium site and that the applicants have done a wonderful job in designing the building but <br /> that the height is an issue for him. Thiesse stated they are looking at an RPUD,which allows for some <br /> flexibility,but that the applicant has said he has no more flexibility. <br /> Lemke noted the traffic will be impacted no what goes on this site so it is not as much of a factor. <br /> Thiesse commented this is the best use for the property as it relates to traffic. <br /> Lemke stated he also has issues with the height since it seems to be too much building for the area. <br /> Landgraver stated the proposed use does seem to be an optimal use of the site in terms of minimizing the <br /> traffic impact. Landgraver stated he is struggling with the height and in his view it is too much. <br /> Landgraver commented it is unfortunate the economics do not work for a building that is not as high. <br /> While the Planning Commission has always been sensitive to views of the lake and the visual nature of <br /> Orono,the height of the penthouse pushes it too much. <br /> Olson stated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver and that he cannot support the project. <br /> Schwingler indicated he also is in agreement with the other commissioners. <br /> Schoenzeit stated when the proposed density is above what it is guided for,it shows that there is not <br /> enough land. Schoenzeit stated the height of the building is the number one show stopper. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if including the wetlands would help the dry buildable calculations. <br /> Barnhart stated the City does not include the wetlands or the wetland buffer in that calculation. <br /> Barnhart noted there is some flexibility in shifting the property line,but it raises the question of how <br /> shifting that property line will impact setbacks. In addition,the height of the building,density,and traffic <br /> are also other issues that have been discussed tonight. <br /> Page 15 of 17 <br />