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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 20,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> He said he is in complete agreement with number 2 and asked if anyone was opposed.There was no <br /> response from Commissioners. <br /> Ressler read number 1: "Does the Council want to have a"minor"(lot splits and subdivisions creating <br /> less than 3 new lots)subdivision process that could skip the Planning Commission. Some cities do, <br /> though Staff is not recommending one for Orono at this time,many of our subdivisions fall under these <br /> categories. Commissioners agreed that there should not be a minor subdivision process,at least at this <br /> time."He asked if any of the Commissioners were opposed. There were no responses. <br /> Gettman moved,Kirchner seconded,to approve the City of Orono,Text Amendment: Subdivisions <br /> based on the amendments discussed.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 1 (Hollis). <br /> 5. UPDATE ON JUNE 8,2020 COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Barnhart said the Council reviewed the variances and applications the Commission saw in June.The <br /> Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance at 2645 Casco Point Road;the Council <br /> denied it. Staff is trying to advise Applicants more carefully to make sure they justify the variance but <br /> more importantly to fit within the requirements. They have worked to adjust ordinances in the last couple <br /> of years to reduce variances, and he stated Applicants should try to fit within the envelope. The <br /> Commission recommended approval of the variance at 3585 Frederick;the Council approved that. <br /> Ressler said the City Council had some dialogue that was good feedback as far as how the Council views <br /> the hardcover on the Casco Point development. <br /> Mayor Walsh said some of these things go back 7-8 years and it is partly Staff's job to know the history <br /> of the hows and whys of the hardcover number. He noted it is one thing if there is a house sitting there <br /> and you go from 34 to 26, and another thing to have a completely clean slate and it's a 2-car versus 3-car <br /> garage question. Staff spent about a year, 7-8 years ago, going through everything, and his house went <br /> from 29%to 19%because of the change and it was a huge change for everyone on the lake. It brought <br /> Orono more into conformance with everyone else. The structural coverage was also changed because it <br /> was too low and didn't make a lot of sense. He said they want to give people flexibility. If there are good <br /> rules,people have to play with the rules. If the City doesn't have good rules,they will change or modify <br /> them; or if someone has a bad situation,the City will deal with it. <br /> Ressler stated in the time he has been on the Commission, a lot of things have been ironed out from the <br /> efforts of the people in the room providing feedback who come from a lot of different places of expertise. <br /> On behalf of the City, he told everyone it is appreciated and thanked everyone for their contributions. <br /> ADJOURNMENT <br /> Gettman moved,Libby seconded, to adjourn the Orono Planning Commission meeting at 8:02 p.m. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> ATTEST: <br /> Jon Ressler, Chair <br /> Page 19 of 19 <br />