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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />There were no public comments regarding this application. <br />Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 8:03 p.m. <br />Thiesse stated it appears the applicants are addressing the septic and that all the other issues are resolved. <br />Leskinen moved, Lemke seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000020, Kuhl <br />Design, 2280 Fox Street, granting of a conditional use permit. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. <br />(Recess taken from 8:04 p.m. to 8:07 p.m.) <br />8. LAI 8-000023 CITY OF ORONO, AMEND ARTICLE XI OF THE CITY CODE <br />RELATED TO WETLANDS AND WETLAND SETBACKS, 8:04 P.M. — 8:19 P.M. <br />Barnhart stated this application deals with a review of wetland setback requirements. Last year the <br />Council elected to change the wetland delineation requirements but did not elect to change the wetland <br />setbacks. Last fall the City Council directed Staff to review an ordinance that would consider adjusting <br />the setbacks. <br />Barnhart indicated the first time the setbacks were reviewed by the City Council there was some <br />confusion between setbacks and buffers. Setbacks are established by the City and prevent construction <br />within a certain area, such as a front yard setback or side setback. The Watershed District establishes a <br />buffer in certain circumstances, usually at the time of platting or at the time a new house is being <br />constructed, and at that time they will usually require wetland delineations and buffers. In addition to <br />certain setbacks, no grading, fertilizers or structures are allowed within the buffer. As it relates to this <br />proposed change, the amendment only addresses setback. <br />Based on Council direction, Staff put together a draft ordinance with the goal of making it easier to <br />understand. Some sections of the current code were removed that Staff did not feel apply. In addition, <br />Staff attempted to try to simplify what the requirement is in terms of separation of a structure from the <br />wetland delineation. Staff is proposing that if the Watershed District requires a buffer, that that be the <br />separation between the improvement and the wetland. Orono currently has that buffer as well as an <br />additional 10 -foot setback, which Staff is proposing be removed under this text amendment. <br />Barnhart stated when a buffer is not required, which applies primarily to decks and accessory structures <br />that do not trigger Watershed rules, the City has a current setback of 35 feet. That setback comes from a <br />Page 18 of 23 <br />