03-02-2011 Council Work Session Minutes

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, ORONO JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Wednesday, March 2,2011 5:30 o'clock p.m. standards. Gozola stated area two deals with soffits. Soffits that are in excess of two feet have historically been considered hardcover but that the following are issues that are raised periodically: -Surfaces under soffits are typically not hardcover; -Surveyors are ostensibly being asked to verify a point above ground on as-built surveys; -Limits architectural styles and roof types; -Is there any desire to see this changed if it can be justified. McMillan commented in her view the City should lighten up on some of the hardcover regulations and that she personally feels bigger roof overhangs should be promoted more since they help keep water away from the house. Rahn stated at the time it was discussed, it was felt that anything over two feet would be considered hardcover but that the property owner could have whatever size overhang they wanted. Gaffron noted the Council did look at that but never came to a final decision. McMillan stated she personally would like some leeway on that since it affards some protection against water coming into the house. Franchot commented that is probably one of the items that appears arbitrary to the residents. Curtis stated that item was made more consistent in the last few years with the City's nonencroachment regulations. Franchot stated the method the City follows sometimes appears to be arbitrary, which has been a complaint raised in the past by applicants. The City should look at it in the context of how it can be made less arbitrary, which would also help ease the burden on Staff. Franchot commented there needs to be a good balance between how that is accomplished and the City's goal of clean water, etc. Curtis stated typically the surveyors do not denote things above grade, which creates some issues for Staff. Theiss stated if the goal of the City is to have good infiltration of water, a two-foot overhang provides the ability for the ground to absarb the water; whereas an eight-foot overhang prohibits water from infiltrating the ground near the house. Rahn pointed out they are not limiting the design but rather the hardcover. Gozola stated the third area is whether the City should regulate all properties in the City. Current regulations seem to ignore non-shoreland areas unless they are zoned industrial, RPUD or PRD. While there are "lot coverage" regulations affecting al] properties within the City, it appears current hardcover regulations are limited to the shoreland district, industrial district, RPUD district, and PRD areas. It appears that nonshoreland areas which are not in an industrial, RPUD or PRD district do not have hardcover requirements. _ ____.. _ Page 5