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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 23, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 18 (5. #14-3690 FRED JOHNSON (CD PURCHASER), PATRICIA PFEFFER (SELLER), 1565 ORCHARD BEACH PLACE continued) applications, besides lot area and width, is that those did not require variances; whereas, this one requires a number of variances. Gaffron illustrated the building pad of the lot. Gaffron stated it is doubtful that anyone will build anything to that size in that location. Gaffron stated if the Council was to say no setback variances but grant the average lakeshore setback, the applicants would have an area of approximately 10, 30, 30 and 75. Gaffron stated he is not saying that the property is impossible to build on but that he is saying this is what they would be allowed to build on, which is approximately a 10’ x 40’ area. Printup stated the outside of the house is oddly shaped, the lot is buildable. Gaffron stated with the exception of the average lakeshore setback, the lot is buildable within the limited envelope, but there would still be issues with grading within 75 feet of the lakeshore. Printup stated he is not comfortable with saying that this is a lot that can be used for gazing at the stars or planting a garden. Printup stated if someone would like to construct a home within that limited building envelope, he would not be opposed to it. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 1, Printup Opposed. Gaffron stated Staff will draft the denial resolution and bring it back before the City Council at their April 13 meeting. 6. #14-3700 CITY OF ORONO – AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 78-1379, SMALL WIND CONVERSION SYSTEMS (WECS) SECOND REVIEW Gaffron stated on March 9 the Council reviewed the draft of the WECS ordinance. The Council provided some specific direction at that meeting and, based on that direction, the draft ordinance has been amended. Gaffron stated the Council requested Staff eliminate the different varieties of WECS based on capacity and establish an ordinance simply regulating small WECS, acknowledge that the City has no regulatory authority over WEC systems of 5000 kW or greater, and that the ordinance no address ornamental WECS. In addition, since the ordinance would only allow monopole towers, no definition of tower is necessary and that has been stricken. In terms of acreage and setbacks, the direction from the Council was to keep the minimum acreage at ten acres, to change the minimum setback from lot lines to 100 feet rather than 300 feet, and to keep the maximum distance from the principal structure at 150 feet. Gaffron noted the rationale for the change was that very few 10-acre lots would be able to meet the 300-foot setback. The Council also requested that Staff research the issue of shadow flicker, what is involved in the study or analysis, the cost, what information is necessary to do a report, and is it possible to find a local professional that does such analysis. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 04/13/2015 Approval of Council Minutes 03/23/15 [Page 6 of 18]