12-12-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 3.Three members of the Orono Planning Commission reviewed this application on November 21, 1994 and recommended approval of the proposed variance and conditional use permit based on the following findings: The excavation of the wetland on a scale limited to 200 cubic yards will have a negligible affect on the 150 acre wetland. B. C The excavation of open water areas will enhance wildlife habiut Portions of this wetland have already been excavated for the pc ."poses of retrieving peat for the past thirty years without any negative impact on the wetland or the existing wildlife habiut. The excavation of ponding areas will improve water storage and provide a sediment trap. Vi..ying slope elevations to the open water areas will encourage more beneficial wetland/aquatic vegeution. The City Council finds that the conditions existing on this property are peculiar to it and do not apply generally to other property in this zoning district; that granting the variance would not adversely affect traffic conditions, light, air nor pose a fire hazard or other danger to neighboring properties; would not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to alleviate a demonstrable hardship or difficulty; is necessary to preserve a subsuntial property right of the applicant; and would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan of the City. The City Council finds that granting a conditional use permit to allow the annual excavation of 200 cubic yards of peat from the wetland for a ten year period of lime will not be detrimenul to the health, safety or general welfare of the public, would not adversely affect light, air nor pose a fire hazard or other danger to neighboring properties, nor will its use depreciate surrounding property values and that the proposed level of use of the property will be in keeping with the intent and objectives of the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan of the City. Paee 2 of 5