04-09-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM Item No.: 20 Date: April 9, 2018 Item Description: LAI 8-000023, City of Orono Text Amendment: Wetland Regulations Presenter: Jeremy Barnhart, Community Agenda Planning Department's Development Director Section: Report 1. Purpose. To consider an ordinance that would amend the setback requirements as they pertain to wetlands. 2. 15.99 Deadline. Not Applicable 3. Background/ Summary Last fall, the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to reconsider the wetland setback requirements. The Council felt that the additional setback impedes the use of a property with marginal benefit, when considering the Watershed District does not require a buffer in all situations. Based on Council's direction, staff has prepared an ordinance that requires a setback (of 25 feet) when there is not a wetland buffer. When there is a wetland buffer, any structures are required to be outside of the buffer. This modification reduces the distances between improvements and the wetland edge from current levels: 4. Planning Commission Vote and Comment. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at their meeting on March 19th. The Commission felt that additional separation between a structure and a wetland was beneficial to the protection of that wetland and no change was necessary; the Commission ultimately recommended no amendment to the ordinance. 5. Public Comment. No public comments have been received to date. 6. Staff Recommendation. If the Council feels changes to the wetland related setbacks are warranted, Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance as drafted. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED Motion to either adopt changes to the city zoning code as drafted, or formally decline changes to the ordinance. Exhibits Exhibit A. Draft Ordinance Exhibit B. Planning Commission Minutes Draft Exhibit C. Planning Commission Staff report Prepared By: J. Barnhart Reviewed By: -Sb)R Approved By: -TV