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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />10 -foot separation as well as the 25 -foot setback. Staff is now proposing a 25 -foot setback, which <br />removes that extra level of setback that many cities do not require, <br />Staff also proposes removing the table that talks about the type of protection classification for the <br />wetland, the description, and the additional protection. Since that is regulated by the Watershed District, <br />Staff felt it was redundant. <br />Barnhart stated at this time Staff is looking for a recommendation from the Planning Commission to take <br />to the City Council. <br />Schoenzeit stated the extra 10 feet was added to help in situations where there was a door leading out to <br />the back yard and there was a buffer. Schoenzeit stated the extra 10 feet was designed to give the <br />homeowner some extra room and this seems to take that away. Schoenzeit suggested Staff consider <br />adjusting it for a door going out to that area. Schoenzeit stated if the door is on the side of the house and <br />not next to the buffer area, they might not need that extra room. <br />Thiesse noted it was the City's request previously to add that extra 10 feet. <br />Schoenzeit stated that extra 10 feet provides additional protection to the wetland buffer. <br />Thiesse stated they could also state that no door is allowed into that area. <br />Barnhart stated the Watershed District's sole purpose is to protect the wetland, and it was the thinking that <br />if the Watershed District does not require an additional setback to the buffer, why should the City. <br />Thiesse stated the minute something is allowed right next to that buffer, activity is going to start to occur <br />within the buffer because there is a need to maintain someone's property. <br />Landgraver noted in the past the Planning Commission has recommended the additional protection be <br />added. <br />Schoenzeit stated it is similar to the 75 -foot zone rather than a 50 -foot setback. <br />Thiesse stated his concern is if the 10 feet is removed, all that accomplishes is that the structure is moved <br />up to that buffer and the City now has something they cannot enforce. <br />Barnhart stated the homeowner can walk in that area but they cannot mow or add fertilizer. Barnhart <br />stated to some degree it is not the City's rule to enforce and it falls to the Watershed District. <br />Page 19 of 23 <br />