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To: Chair Thiesse and Planning Commission Members <br />Dustin Rief, City Administrator <br />From: Melanie Curtis, Planner mcc <br />Date: 21 May 2018 <br />Subject: #LA18-000041, City of Orono Text Amendment: Gate Opacity <br />Public Hearing <br />Application Summary: The City is considering an ordinance that would remove the <br />transparency requirement from the entrance gate regulation. <br />Staff Recommendation: The Planning Commission should consider the proposed change. <br />Background <br />Staff has been asked to review the regulations regarding entrance gates and the City's required <br />75% transparency minimum (no more than 25% opaque). <br />Gates at driveways are permitted, but must meet certain conditions, including a five foot <br />setback from all property lines when associated with entrance monuments. Gates and entrance <br />monuments are permitted up to 8 feet in height. Fences are allowed up to 42 inches in height <br />adjacent to the street, except in the yard abutting a County Highway on a lakeshore lot, where <br />the maximum height is 6 feet. Fences may be privacy in nature (100% opaque). <br />Originally, the opacity requirement seems to suggest a concern to prevent rows of 6-8 foot high <br />privacy fences dominating the streetscape along Orono roadways; and to ensure the ability to <br />see through the gate, and adjacent traffic when maneuvering through the gate area. The <br />Planning Commission should discuss whether these concerns are still relevant, if not, a change is <br />in order. <br />After review of gate regulations in neighboring communities, where gates are regulated, the <br />regulations are not consistent. The draft ordinance removes the requirement for transparency. <br />Additionally, the draft ordinance proposes a formatting modification for gates to be permitted <br />where entrance monuments do not exist. In these instances gates would not be permitted to <br />extend higher than the permitted fence. <br />Comments <br />To date, no public comments have been received. <br />List of Exhibits <br />Exhibit A. Draft Ordinance <br />Exhibit B. City Code 78-1405 - Current <br />Exhibit C. Neighboring Cities' Regulations <br />