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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 21,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 5. LA18-000041 CITY OF ORONO,TEXT AMENDMENT—GATES,7:07 P.M.—7:33 P.M. <br /> —Continued <br /> City does not know what they are trying to achieve. Barnhart stated the direction from the City Council <br /> was to remove sections from the Code that were not needed. <br /> Thiesse stated he appreciates the explanation. <br /> Ressler stated he has these thoughts about driving down a narrow road with trucks coming in and out and <br /> there are all these privacy fences. Ressler stated from his perspective it is good to have a little bit of <br /> visibility but that he is also in agreement with simplifying, which might be somewhat conflicted. <br /> Thiesse asked how far off the right-of-way the gate has to be. <br /> Curtis indicated monuments must be five feet off the traveled roadway and property lines and gates <br /> should be 10 feet from the traveled roadway. <br /> Libby stated this is a neighborhood that is heavily wooded and there really is not any fencing except for <br /> some split rail fences. Libby asked whether this is a privacy issue. <br /> Thiesse noted the ordinance would be city-wide. <br /> Lemke commented someone can always request a variance. <br /> Barnhart noted it is hard to argue practical difficulty on an accessory structure. <br /> Seals stated he likes the idea of a simpler code and that perhaps the City should have some trust in the <br /> citizens that they will do the right thing. <br /> Erickson noted there was mention about emergency access and that he was wondering if gates can be set <br /> up mechanically to allow access and what happens if there is a power outage. <br /> Curtis stated the fire department requested a lock box at the time the original ordinance was adopted and <br /> that requirement would remain. <br /> Ferrer stated there is also something called a YELP mode and that the gate will open up if the siren is <br /> loud enough. <br /> Thiesse commented 25 percent from 100 percent is a big step. <br /> Landgraver stated the reason for rules and regulations is to prevent ambiguity and to require people to go <br /> through a process. Landgraver stated he is in agreement with simplifying the ordinance but that he is not <br /> okay with just simply rolling the dice and seeing what happens. <br /> Ressler agreed with Commissioner Landgraver. <br /> Thiesse stated he would rather than visit the issue a year from now to see if there are any issues. <br /> Page 10 of 17 <br />