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ORONO JOINT PLANIVING COMMISSION <br /> & CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br /> Wednesday,March 2, 2011 <br /> 5:3D o'clock p.m. <br /> hardcover in the 0-75 foot zone and reduce the massing on the lots,but over time the regulations grew <br /> more complicated. Orono has achieved a great outcome over the years but the regulations should be <br /> simplified and adjusted to today's technology. <br /> Rahn commented simplification of the regulations should be a primary goal to make it mare <br /> understandable by contractors and builders,which would reduce the time that Staff has to spend <br /> explaining the regulations. Rahn stated the amount of hardcover currently allowed by the City is at a <br /> good level but that the different zones contribute to the confusion. Rahn stated the City should determine <br /> whether they want to continue with the different zones. <br /> McMillan commented that the smaller lots and different shapes of the lots can also be problematic at <br /> times. <br /> Kang stated that it appears from the comments that appearance and massing is also another major <br /> component. <br /> Rahn stated the other item he would like to see is uniformity between the lakeshore cities and that the <br /> City should look at what other cities are doing for setbacks and hardcover. <br /> Gozola pointed out the tiering concept is unique to Orono. <br /> Leskinen stated she would like to see the terminology be consistent throughout the regulations and that a <br /> decision needs to be made on what constitutes an impervious surface. <br /> Schoenzeit stated performance standards would allow the applicant and the City some flexibility to bring <br /> the plan into compliance. Performance standards would also put the burden on the applicant rather than <br /> having the Planning Commission redesign the plan or suggest modifications. In addition,the City should <br /> identify where the 50 percentile is in the variances, which may eliminate some of the customary <br /> variances. <br /> McMillan stated a lot of comments that they receive from applicants relates to the amount of money that <br /> they have paid for the lot and that they complain they are not allowed to construct whatever they want on <br /> the lot. <br /> Franchot stated the City needs to be careful about institutionalizing circular logic. <br /> McMillan commented part of the problem is that people are not aware of the City's hardcover regulations. <br /> Franchot stated he is not familiar with the number of variances that are granted in relation to the overall <br /> acti`�ity of the Planning Department, which would be helpful to lrnow. Franchot indicated he understands <br /> how the City evolved into their current regulations,but that the decisions are beginning to feel somewhat <br /> arbitrary. Franchot stated the City should focus on outcomes that are desirable and talk about standards, <br /> which would make the regulations logical to the applicants. <br /> Bremer stated a number of people have asked the City Council to eliminate the zones, which is now one <br /> of the items being proposed. Bremer noted the different zones have been established to help limit <br /> structure and hardcover near the lake,but that she does not want to go away from Orono being the <br /> Page 2 — <br />