05-31-1994 Planning Packet Zoning Amendment

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TO:Planning Commission Members FROM: Michael P. Galfron. Assi. Planning & Zomng Admimstrator DATE:May 31, 1994 SUBJECT: Section 10.41. B-2 Lakeshore Business District - Proposed Amendment List of Exhibits A - Proposed Amendment ^ ^ , \ B - 1993-1994 Documentation Packet Background The Cicy of Orono besan l.censing marinas in 1962. The B-2 Lakeshore Commercial Districi was creLd in Januar^ 1963, and standards and requirements for the district were adopted. A number of revisions to the licensing and B-2 District code sections occuired from 1969 to 1974. .;r4 code language currently in effect was adopted as part of the 19/5 zomng code revisions. Bv 1985 the Citv realized that cenain standards and requirements ot the B-2 District were not reasonably enforceable for e.xisting marinas. Use of licensing as a tool to force compliance with the zonino standards was found to be ineffective because, while the City refused to grant licenses to cenain mannas, it did not take steps to stop them from continuing to operate. The Citv then attempted to redesignate marinas as a conditional use rather than a permitted use in the B-2 District. This met with great resistance from the mannas. Alter two years ot discussion followed by a three year drought in which lake levels dropped dramatically and marina activity was highly reduced, the City Council appomted a Lake Use Committee in 1991 for review of lake use issues. Their first task was review of DNR’s shoreland requirements and B-2 District discussions were suspended. During 1992 the Lake Use Committee inet regularly to discuss marina licensing and the B-2 Zoning District. These discussions led to City Counci adopting a new license code in early 1993. and the B-2 Zoning Districi review was reterred to Planning Commission for their consideration. Review Process The attached proposed amendment to the B-2 Lakeshore Business District standards (E.xhibii A) represents the culmination of a nine month effort by the Orono Planning Commission to revie and update the B-2 Ordinance. After preliminary discussions including joint meetings with me City Council in 1993. the Planning Commission held a series of work sessions during January through April 1994, to which the public was invited. All property owners in and within J of the B-2 Zoning Districi were mailed individual notices of the work sessions. Eleven rnemoers of the public attended and offered comments at one or more work sessions, and five of Orono