HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-11-12 Memo, Development on IslandTO: W.R. Benson, City Administrator
FROM: Alan P. Olson, City Planner
DATE: November 12, 1982
SUBJECT: Phone Call Received Regarding Deering Island
A Larry Schlossinger called me today saying he had talked to Mary
Butler who referred him to me.
He "has a chance to buy Deering Island" and would like to develop
it with a summer -season restaurant. What does he need to get approval?
I asked a lot of questions and he had few answers. He did not know
size of facility, number of docks, where parking would be, etc. He
said it would be a "high class" aesthetic development, which would
add tax base, etc. He said they would be needing multiple docks
(unknown how many) and would have a ferry service from an unknown
parking lot location. They would have off -duty police and built-in
fire protection. He did not want to spend a lot of money on plans
etc. until he knew the City would approve. He would do it the
way the City wants.
My reply: Based on long-standing City policy, Comprehensive Plan and
ordinances, including revisions of island zoning now being completed,
Orono has discouraged development on the islands except for low
density seasonal residential cabins, etc. He would be asking for
something entirely new and contrary to past policies; therefore, based
on past precedent, I do not think his restaurant idea would be approved.
But he has the right to present his ideas and make a case for how
his restaurant would fit in. Orono always listens to new ideas.
His would be an uphill battle and burden would be on him to convince
Council to make necessary changes. He would be asking for:
1. Comprehensive Plan amendment
2. Rezoning from residential to commercial
3. Plan approval based on detailed technical specifications
Council could turn him down at any point. Council could not give
final approval, and probably not even conceptual approval, until
all questions were answered.
Deering Island
November 12, 1982
Page 2
I said that he did have a right to approach the Council with his
conceptual ideas to get their reaction, but not to expect a
commitment. I also said that before he even approaches the Council,
he should do his own homework to better define the scope of his
project (-`Q seats or 500?) and how he would propose handling
parking,d,.--kage, sewage, fire, police, garbage, etc. and to put
those idcaq down in a letter form that I could put on their agenda.
I said for him to do this work and then come in and talk with
me at which point we would discuss a date for a Council appearance.