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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Moiulay, May 15, 2000 <br />(#2569 Duncan MacMillan, continued) <br />Mark Buetow, 177 Meadow Lane, Long Lake, indicated he has been employed by the MacMillans <br />for the past 11 years as their caretaker. <br />Smith inquired whether he wished to add anything to Staffs report. <br />Buetow indicated this project was basically a beautification project to clean up the area. <br />Smith inquired what future plans the applicant has for this area in terms of how it will be maintained <br />and what type of vegetation witi be planted in this area. <br />Buetow stated the Applicant woutd like to keep this area fairly natural, with some steps bcinn <br />taken to prevent the banks from eroding. Buetow indicated they are willing to work with City <br />Staff prior to commencing any future work in the area. <br />Smith inquired whether the Applicant would be willing to enter into an agreement regarding the <br />vegetation in this area. <br />Weinberger slated typically the City allows the natural vegetation to restore itself in the area, <br />which a majority of it has. Weinberger indicated the granting of easements in the area would <br />also protect it from future vegetation removal and land alteration. <br />Smith commented the City of Orono likes its residents to have a respect for the natural <br />environment and to avoid the placement of rocks along the banks. Smith inquired whether the <br />Applicant would have any problems with the conditions listed in the report. <br />Buetow indicated he was fine with the conditions. <br />There were no public comments regarding this application. <br />Stoddard inquired what the City’s policy was concerning Item 5 under the Wetland Alteration <br />Guidelines. <br />Weinberger indicated the pond has been constructed in a low area located within the wetlands <br />and probably does not meet all the criteria. <br />Stoddard commented he does not understand how they can excavate a small portion of a larger <br />wetland. <br />Weinberger stated the wetland is a non-prolected wetland as defined by the City of Orono. City <br />Staff witI need to check with the Watershed District whether they have any issues with this pond. <br />Gaffron rtated the City generally will not approve a conditional use permit for a decorative pond <br />in a City-protected wetland unless such pond is designed to meet minimum wildlife habitat <br />specifications. Gaffron stated since this is a non-protected wetland, the guidelines would generally <br />not apply to this pond. <br />Stoddard requested that Item 5 be reviewed in the future. <br />Smith encouraged the Applicant to keep this pond as a nalural vegetative area <br />Buetow indicated he does not have a problem with that. <br />Page 2 <br />i