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) Gaffron said the impression he has received from the Commissioners is that the policy is more intense than they prefer with requirements going beyond what is desired. Schroeder felt the main purpose is to preserve, protect, and establish wooded buffer areas and not necessarily to protect significant stands of trees Smith noted that the reference is to what currently exists on a property ra:her than what can be added. Schroeder felt that buffering and tree preservation should be addressed first. Hawn asked about the need for tree surveys. Lindquist said the surveying is mentioned in the draft policy but may not be necessary. Gaffron asked and received positive feedback whether there was a preference for defining the category or characteristics of properties that need inventories. Hawn said she would like to know what it would cost to inventory a one acre wooded lot. Gaffron said he would investigate the cost. Smith noted that properties being considered for development survey wetlands Gaffron explained how the costs have escalated in surveying Smith suggested identifying buffer areas and what is in that area which would result in the focus placed in that area Gaffron said the goals can be defined and include what needs to be inventoried There may be a need for selective tree survey. Wilson felt the Commission was on track in their direction taken regarding tree preservation. She would like to see the review continue. :#?) VARIANCE REPORT Van Zomeren reported that the inventory of variances was over the past three years. The majority of variances were in the LR-1C district, along Shadywood or Casco, for lot width and area due to requirements being greater than the land platted The overall approval rate was found to be 78.3% or 323 of 401 variance requests approved Van Zomeren felt this high approval rate presents the question of what is being accomplished Schroeder asked if the approvals were as presented in the applications Van Zomeren said that approval rate was 70%. The inventory is broken down by vanance type and not by application. Smith asked what the inventory tells us Van Zomeren said the inventory reveals that variances are not an effective land use tool. However, Van Zomeren said the Council wants to review all of the applications rather than codification. Van Zomeren said variances take away from planning. She noted if the process is of value, it should be retained: but if not. it should be changed. Smith asked if the process should be used to the point of where change can occur. Van Zomeren said it is not the catalyst for change but should be fine tuned Hawn indicated that there is little discretion available if sewer units have been granted on properties in the past, even if the properties are substandard. It was noted, however, that these applications usually require other variances as well.