06-15-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono Comprehensive Plan: Review Re: Lakeshore Alterations The 1980 City of Orono Community Management Plan ("Comprehensive Plan") contains a number of general land use and environmental protection goals and policies with which the proposed land alteration would be inconsistent. Specifically, General Land Use Policy No. 6 on page 4-13 indicates that "lake shorelines will be protected from alteration. Shoreland areas, whether bluff, beach or flood plain, are sensitive environmental features with significant impact on lake water quality, aesthetic values and land use function. These same factors act to draw development which can be destructive if not properly regulated. Natural vegetation in shoreland areas will be preserved insofar as practical and reasonable in order to retard surface runoff and soil erosion, and to utilize excess nutrients. Clear cutting will be prohibited .. In General Land Use Policy No. 13, the Comprehensive Plan states "future developments must enhance the environment. Land development should respect and enhance the unique natural features of the site and the general environmental assets of the community. Preservation of natural views, vegetation, drainage and general respect for unique site features always producing more aesthetic results and lasting value for the property owner and the community than does wholesale alteration of the landscape or mathematical division to the highest possible density." The Environmental Protection Goals on page 3-20 include the following: "Lake shorelines will be protected from alteration. Natural vegetation in shoreland areas will be preserved insofar as practical and reasonable in order to retard surface runoff and soil erosion, and to utilize excess nutrients. Clear cutting will be prohibited. In areas of soil or wave action erosion, natural stone rip rap shoreline protection will be encouraged." The City has on numerous past occasions relied on these and other principles contained within the Comprehensive Plan, to deny land alteration conditional use permits and specifically, variances for grading within the 0-75' lakeshore setback zone, in cases where excavation and lowering of the natural lakeshore grades was proposed in order to, for instance, allow the creation of a walkout residence. The City has long taken the position that such excavations create an artificial and unnatural lakeshore appearance.