08-10-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 10, 2015 7:00 o'clock pm. 12. #15-3766 CITY OF ORONO, AMEND CITY CODE RELATING TO AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK (continued) The average Lakeshore setback is intended to address visual massing impacts to adjacent properties by requiring improvements on lakeshore lots to be behind adjacent residential structures. Where there is not two adjacent residential structures, Staff applies the setback of the adjacent structure, or 75 feet, whichever is greater. Barnhart noted the average lakeshore setback was deemed a high priority item during the November, 2014, joint work session, and that he is looking for input from the City Council. Printup indicated he is okay with this ordinance. Walsh stated it seems to be making it pretty tight. Walsh asked if he is talking about the 0 -75 -foot line. Barnhart indicated it is. Walsh stated he just wanted to make sure it was not 75 feet beyond the 75 -foot line. Levang asked what would happen in the case where there is a residence on the immediately adjacent improved lakeshore lot but that residence is abandoned. Barnhart stated it is whether there is a residential structure on the property regardless of whether it is occupied or not. Barnhart noted Staff also recommends deletion of the clause that grants the planning director discretion to approve a project if the setback cannot be met, the lake views of adjacent lots are not obstructed, and with adjacent neighbor's approval. Barnhart noted this clause was applied five or fewer times over the last ten years. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO., THIRD SERIES, an Ordinance Amending the Orono Municipal Code by Amending Section 78-1279 Regarding Average Lakeshore Setback. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 13. AMEND RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION OFFENSES Barnhart stated in December of 2013, the Council approved an ordinance amendment that provided for administrative offenses, certain offenses that may be subject to an administrative fine, in addition to the normal citation process. That ordinance requires the Council to determine offenses eligible for administrative citations by resolution. Barnhart stated Staff is recommending the Council add four different offenses to the list. Those include grass and weeds, vacant buildings, damaged buildings, and expired building permits. Barnhart stated identifying certain offenses as an administrative citation strengthens the code enforcement toolbox and helps to improve the resolution rate. Staff recommends approval. Walsh asked who is going to make the determination on what long grass is or what a damaged building is. Page 27 of 32