02-25-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 11, 2019 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 11 Printup stated if they want to erect a shed and put the panels on the roof, they can do that. Changing the code might take a little bit longer but it will be properly vetted and will allow the City to find out what other cities are doing. Ferril stated they chose to do the rack in part for restoration purposes of the area. The no-mow fescue will not need to be maintained but a wooded structure would need to be maintained. Walsh commented that is all part of the vetting process and that he would like to look at what other cities have done to resolve some of these issues. The City Council and Staff do not know the answers to those questions right now. Ferril stated during the summertime the houses on the south side would not be able to see them and in the wintertime it would be visible on the side of their house and not facing their house. Johnson commented they have a lovely setting and he can understand why they want to stay there and improve the area. They are trying to do it the right way and be conscious of the environment, but that he struggles with how the City can make a good plan and not just randomly give variances to different people. The City should make a conscientious, concerted effort to get it right the first time. Johnson noted he is on the Code Review Committee and that it is certainly something they can discuss. Johnson stated he would agree there is not a practical difficulty and that he is not sure he would want a bunch of free-standing solar panels throughout the neighborhood. Johnson indicated he is in agreement that the City should take their time and get this right. Printup moved, Crosby seconded, to direct Staff to draft a denial resolution for Application No. LA18-000103, Isaac Lindstrom, All Energy Solar on behalf of William and Eleanor Ferril, 240 Wakefield Road. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Barnhart asked if there is something the City Council would like Staff to do with respect to analysis of the ordinance. Barnhart noted the applicant is not requesting an amendment to the ordinance and solar panels are currently allowed in all districts. Crosby noted free-standing solar arrays are not allowed and that it is all about an overall review of the code. Seals stated they need to look at free-standing and the zoning. Walsh stated height, setback, acreage, and visibility all need to be looked at. Johnson stated at the end of the day, there needs to be a practical difficulty, which means the City has to look at its code to see whether it is worth changing. Walsh noted there are also different types of free-standing solar arrays, such as moving, static, etc., and the City’s challenge is to look at all the issues.