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2. Text Amendments <br />Barnhart reviewed how ordinance amendments are reviewed by the Planning Commission. <br />The Commissioners prefer to review amendments at a work session before the Public <br />Hearing of the in-depth amendments. <br />a. 15% Structural Coverage — overlapping regulation 15% structural coverage less than <br />2 acres. <br />b. Special Event Permits <br />c. Small Lots/5-foot Setback <br />Walsh said the City does not need the extra layers in the code and that the code should <br />just state hardcover and get rid of the structural coverage for lots under two acres only. <br />This would cover everyone under the same rules. <br />Barnhart stated consideration should be given to what is included in the hard cover, i.e., <br />decks for instance. Massing relates to the size of the structure (height, width, and depth) <br />on a lot. <br />Loftus related some cities have floor area ratio to contain massing in lake cities. <br />Printup asked for some history of when the hardcover and structural coverage ordinances <br />were enacted. <br />Gaffron said the hardcover ordinance was done in the 1970's and structural coverage was <br />in the 1990's. <br />Walsh stated garages are larger now which takes up more percentage of the hardcover. <br />Denny would like to provide more flexibility to residents than they currently have on <br />smaller lots and this would allow them to add a little bit more house. <br />Jeremy is concerned with possible massing in some neighborhoods if the structural <br />coverage is removed from the ordinance. <br />Printup said the majority of the small lots are on the lake and 70 percent of the Orono <br />population is on a small lot. <br />Barnhart said Special Event permits were a major issue last fall. There have been more <br />than occasional private parties. The ordinance should have more specific requirements. <br />Barnhart discussed what can be done in the 5 foot setback. Landscaping walls can go up 2 <br />feet for landscaping without requiring a variance. Revise the ordinance for new lots with 5 <br />ft. easements for drainage stating it can be planted at the residents own risk. <br />The Council by consensus, agreed to move forward with the three amendments as <br />illustrated in the staff report. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />