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ORONO JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION � <br /> & CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br /> Wednesday,March 2,2011 <br /> 5:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Franchot pointed out the group has not really approved those specific goals but have indicated they would <br /> like those ideas explored. From a process standpoint, the City needs to clearly identify the goals and the <br /> desired outcomes and should avoid jumping too quickly at the answers without looking at it from all <br /> angles. <br /> Gozola indicated he has some specific items he has identified within the code that the group may want to <br /> consider. Staff would request the group identify additional aspects of the current policy which must be <br /> retained, things people have histarically liked, and things about the current policy that people feel must <br /> change. <br /> Gozola stated the first area deals with multiple terms that are currently used throughout code to address <br /> the issue of impervious surface. Hardcover is essentially defined as anything that interferes with direct <br /> absorption of rainfall into the ground. Lot coverage is essentially defined as area covered by structures <br /> while hard surface is undefined and impervious coverage is undefined. <br /> Bremer noted the term typically used in Orono is structural coverage rather than lot coverage and that she <br /> would recommend the term lot coverage be changed to structural coverage. <br /> Schwingler asked whether other cities use lot coverage. <br /> Bremer stated they use lot coverage to define hardcover. <br /> Franchot commented there is not much confusion about what lot coverage is,but that his sense is that the <br /> term hardcover has caused a number of problems since there is some deviation in thought on what <br /> hardcover truly is. Decks, for example, are considered hardcover even though they have openings in <br /> them, which has caused some constemation on the part of the applicants. Consistent terminology and <br /> clear definitions would help to overcome that. <br /> Gaffron stated another example of inconsistency is gravel that is driven on is considered hardcover while <br /> gravel that is not driven on is not considered hardcover. Gaffron commented they have had people in the <br /> past put holes in their plastic to make it nonhardcover, which required Staff to inspect it. <br /> Curtis noted geotextile fabric is not allowed for landscaping but it is exempted when it is used on a <br /> mound system. <br /> McMillan stated one of the overall goals is to make the terminology more consistent throughout the <br /> regulations. <br /> Bremer asked whether other cities have more consistent definitions. <br /> Gozola indicated there are some consistencies in what is considered hardcover but that there are also <br /> some inconsistencies, such as the hard packed g-c-avel, decks, and landscaping. Plastic is always <br /> considered hardcover but that other cities do accept the geotextile fabric. Gozola commented that <br /> enforcement does become a problem over time. <br /> Leskinen agreed the group should look at whether hardcover could possibly be tied into performance <br /> __ _ _....-- _ Page 4 <br />