12-15-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 15,1997 (#3 Tfm Preservation, Continued) eliminated Schroeder responded that each area is different making it difficult to establish whether there should be a 20' or 40* distance requirement for tree planting Schroeder does not want to see the City having to make decisions on each tree Lindquist added that he feels most developers are attempting to preserve trees and providing a buffer. Schroeder asked if some ordinances were more restrictive Gaffron said some did not apply to Orono He said some ordinances were fairly extensive in their preservation policies. Gaffron suggested some steps may be circumvented. An inventory should not be done if the goal cannot be met. Developers need to be given direction and standards by which to follow. Schroeder noted that there is the perception that there is no problem on large lots. Gaffron questioned why a policy if no problem with tree removal. The second goal related to conversation. If the land is vacant, are we regulating it before development. Hawn asked what occurs if a property is purchased that has a large stand of trees and the property owner decides to purchase horses and wants to cut down the trees. Lindquist cited an example of a large acreage of woodlands where the property owner cuts it down to sell the timber. Gaffron can forestry can be regulated if desired by putting restrictions on commercial use. Lindquist noted that leB-ge amounts of timber were removed from Spring Hill. Gaffron said Spring Hill recouped some costs by selling that timber but indicated that this war not the purpose for the removal Stoddard asked for consideration of using the conditional use permit process. McMillan would like to see no clear cutting of properties over one acre in size. Schroeder felt the probability of clear cutting tots is low due to the lots being worth less if trees were cut down and result in creating an economic disadvantage. Stoddard askeo what is done if the neighborhood is against what is being proposed regarding tree removal. He suggested some g jidelines be established for forestry, clear cutting. CUP, and neighborhood notification McMillan felt trees are somewhat self-regulating in that people see the importance of trees. Importance of specific trees, however, may be viewed differently, citing old trees found in the Big Woods versus loss of one significant tree on Casco Point. Stoddard cited the example of tree removal on a property in order to build on it He questioned what is done in that case Gaffron said the owner can be encouraged to save trees or regulate what happens to the trees. Lindquist felt it was not an issue of not being able to remove trees but to save as many as possible, noting each lot has different requirements. 5