Agenda Packet Cc - regular meeting 9/12/1988

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.:� .. .$ 6�1 ,,ToLs yor Mary C. Butler and Members of the Orono City Council Re: City Hardcover Definitions We have been asked by the City toning Administrator to write this note concerning the definition of what constitutes hardcover for the purpose of issuing building permits. We feel strongly that the current definition is, in many reYpects, inconsistent with the presumed intent of the ordinance. We are distressed that the vagueness of the current definition of hardcover has caused a major inconvenience for us and will add significantly to the cost of securing a building permit. We would sincerely hope that the Council will take this opportunity to examine and clarify the present definition of hardcover so that it can be applied fairly and uniformly to other residents of our area who are seeking to improve their homes. We believe that the purpose of the hardcover restrictions is, and should continue to be, to: (1) prevent excessive run-off into the Lake and thereby protect the quality of this recreational resource; and (2) to control overbuilding in the City and protect its aesthetic qualities. To accomplish the first part of this purpose► the operative definition of hardcover should be: Any artificial surface that causes rainwater to run-off that surface into the Lake► or tributaries of the Lake, rather than to be absorbed into the soil and filtered or to be retained and evaporated. If you accept this definition of hardccver, then there are certain landscaping features which should n o t c o n s t i t u t e hardcover: o Spaced► porous wood decking which has an absorbent, porous natural surface beneath it► i.e. no plastic sheathing. o Landscaping rocks with either no plastic beneath or with plastic that forms a basin in which the rain- water is captured and evaporated. o Stairs and retaining walls on steep slopes i Greater than a 33 degree incline directly to the Lake 1 that do not increase the amount of run-off which would normally reach the Lake.