02-08-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, January 19, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 6 Gettman asked if he is missing something because the Applicant could literally have 70% of each and every one of those roof faces and asked if that is correct. Barnhart replied that is correct. Gettman noted the Applicant is trying to minimize the aesthetics. Mayor Walsh said that is a good point, they could do the entire roof. Gettman stated the 70% initially sounded like the safety as there has to be the perimeter around for the firemen to be able to walk. Mayor Walsh said the practical difficulty is they also need to face it south as they are not going to face it north and there are only so many planes facing south. If that is the only thing they can use and they could put 500 panels on but they really only want 30 panels and they need those two more. Mr. O’Connell said he has some shade issues on some of the south facing roofs but he could put all those triangular shapes covered with 70% solar panels. He personally does not like that aesthetic and in Orono it is not the intent to have that look. Given the aesthetic obligation he feels he has, he would like to maximize the solar on the one aesthetically available, the biggest south facing rectangular plane. Chair Ressler thinks the fundamental of inadequate access to sunlight is the best way to define this. It is being met by definition and the Planning Commission needs to decide if they can rest their laurels on this because they know that aesthetics is probably the biggest concern that ties around it based on the discussions. Gettman moved, Bollis seconded, to approve LA 20-73, 3145 North Shore Drive, Variance as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. Barnhart asked if the Planning Commission would find it appropriate to suggest the City Council consider a change to the code. Chair Ressler replied yes, absolutely.