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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Thursday,August 13,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> a given zoning district. He clarified if someone creates a new lot,this would come into play and if <br /> someone already has a lot,they would not need to get a variance. <br /> Walsh noted the Planning Commission went through the document very well and definitely had a lot of <br /> items. He thinks it would be good to send the updated document to the Council so they have time to <br /> review and see if there are any other questions they have before they move forward. <br /> Johnson noted in the past, when the Council changed how they measure the average lakeshore setback <br /> and if a line goes through the middle of the house,the Council talked to some surveyors to receive input. <br /> He asked how the Council could involve the people this document affects, for example,those who do <br /> work in Orono. He wondered if they should get some input and invite every contractor who has done a <br /> development in the City in the past year to read the document so they know what is being proposed and <br /> that something isn't missing. <br /> Walsh asked if the document has ever gone to the Development Review Committee(DRC). <br /> Barnhart said it hasn't gone before the DRC as a group, noting it has been mentioned but not as a draft. <br /> He said he could send the document to the handful of surveyors that have done plats or subdivisions <br /> within the last year and see if they have any comments. <br /> Johnson said they want to find a balance between having rigid codes and making sure the codes are as <br /> reasonable as possible to avoid having to go through the variance application process. He said he knows <br /> a considerable amount about development but there are some nuances in the draft that only someone who <br /> really works in that field can give input on. <br /> Crosby agreed that it wouldn't be bad to send it out to the surveyors or developers and invite them to a <br /> work session for a discussion and to point out things the Council may want to look at more closely. <br /> Johnson said they can give surveyors and developers the opportunity and it's up to them if they want to <br /> speak up, noting if the Council going to do it,they want to do it right. <br /> Walsh said it sounds like they're not in any hurry. <br /> Johnson said there is a big difference between over-three-lot developments and the complication you get <br /> into there, and if they're grouping them together,taking out the three Classes the process is the same. He <br /> said there was some language about avoiding the need to go before the Planning Commission for some <br /> things and he doesn't see the value in skipping that. <br /> Walsh said he agrees and noted the Planning Commission voted not to do that. <br /> Crosby said Johnson made a great point about not having to send so many people through the variance <br /> process and it's about simplification. <br /> Walsh said this isn't a variance process, but it's that subdivisions need to get approval. <br /> Crosby said that is correct and this way if the language is clear people know what's expected so there may <br /> be less people applying for variances later on. <br /> Page 5of8 <br />