01-25-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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September 22, 1987 Dear This past summer, Council considered the matter of the use of boat ramps on all lakes within the City of Orono. Over a year ago, you may recall, the Council received complaints from the Casco Point neighborhood addressing the intense use of these ramps on the Cove shoreline and of the negative impact created by the un-controlled proliferation of these structures along this unique shoreline. Council, in reviewing the matter, concurred with staff's interpretation that these are structures requiring building permits and because of their location within the lakeshore protected area (0 to 75 feet from shoreline) would require variances. In addition, if the installation of the ramp required excavation or filling, a conditional use permit would also be required. Since that review, all requests for boat ramps have been considered by the Council under an application seeking setback and hardcover variances. You, as an owner of such a ramp located within the lakeshore protected area, are now asked to provide information to the City that would document your ramp was installed prior to January 1, 1975 (prior to adoption of lakeshore district standards). If adequate information can be provided to the Citv docua:enting the approximate time of the placement of the ramp, ti,e structure shall be recognized as a legal non -conforming structi,.re and shall remain subject to all pertinent ordinances for non -conforming structures. If the structure was installed after January 1, 1975, you have the option to either f-le an application for the required variance by November 30, 1987 or remove the ratr,p by Povember 30, 1987. There are other alternatives available to lakeshore owners such as boat lifts and permanent piling platforms that would provide storage over water. The City would prefer any acceptable method that would involve storage of the boat over the water rather than within the 13keshore protected area.