05-28-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MAY 23, 1991 ( #8 *)ZONING FILE #1643 =DAVID J. NELSON 740 WILLOW DRIVE SOUTH RENEWAL VARIANCE- RESOLUTION #2967 It was moved by Jabbour, seconded by Goetten, to adopt Resolution #2967,-granting a renewal of a side setback Variance to permit the construction of an attached two stall garage at 740 Willow Drive South. All voted aye. notion passed. ( #9)HARDCOVER STATUS OF VEED CONTROL FABRICS Gaffron 'presented Council with- a variety of literature regarding weed control fabrics. He also distributed several samples of different types of woven and -non -woven weed control fabrics. He stated that the non -woven fabrics have a much higher permeability range of 10 to 100 times that of woven fabrics. He added that the local garden centers sell both non -woven and woven varieties. Gaffron suggested that it would create a problem, from an. enforcement standpoint, if Council agreed to allow the use of non -woven versus woven fabrics, but by doing so, it will tell the residents. that the City prefers non -woven over woven fabrics.. Also, certain fabrics, manufactured for other uses, have been treated with various chemicals and /or resins that will` make them impermeable and those should not be used. Jabbour indicated that. he ..would like to find out what percent of water will not pass through permeable fabric and use that percent when figuring hardcover percentages. Gaffron advised that there are various methods of testing. Plost tests.involve a falling or constant head of water focused on a square foot of fabric, and the rate that water runs through is determined. The woven fabrics will typically take up to 25 gallons per minute, per square foot. The non -woven fabrics will take 10 times as much. Gaffron said, "I cannot tell you whether 25 gallons per minute is good, or if we need. to approach 250 gallons per minute. From just reading the product literature it will be nearly impossible to determine how each of the various products have been tested." Callahan asked why Council is considering a revision to the existing Hardcover Ordinance, which .does not allow permeable fabric. Jabbour replied, "People want a method for controlling weeds, and most will use plastic. When we find out that plastic is being used under landscaping, we ask to have it removed.. I think it would be beneficial for everyone if we provide an. alternative. I think it would help the City if we could steer people away from using plastic, yet offer an alternative that will help keep weeds down." .Mabusth added that if people cannot use plastic, or fabric, they will be more likely to use chemicals to control weeds. - 9 -