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<br /> <br /> <br />To: Chair Leskinen and Planning Commission Members <br /> Jessica Loftus, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Jeremy Barnhart, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Date: October 19, 2015 <br /> <br />Subject: #15-3784, City of Orono, <br />Text Amendment: Lighting and Living Walls <br />Public Hearing <br /> <br /> <br />List of Exhibits <br />Draft Ordinance <br />Planning Commission packet dated September 21, 2015 <br />Foot candle comparison chart <br /> <br />Background <br />City Council has directed staff to review city ordinances in response to a number of complaints <br />regarding lighting so placed to negatively impact the enjoyment of neighboring residential <br />properties, and the use of landscaping that has the same impact on lake views as structures. <br /> <br />A regulatory response is proposed as part of a single ordinance. The Planning Commission may <br />separate both solutions to allow for additional review time as appropriate. <br /> <br />On September 21, the Planning Commission reviewed a draft of the ordinance; comments <br />included: <br /> <br /> Define length of the living wall. The proposed ordinance identifies “a combination of <br />three or more evergreen plants that are 6ft or more in height and planted in such a manner that <br />their spacing is equal to the width of the plant.” <br /> <br /> Living walls in the lake yard versus the average lake shore setback. The draft ordinance <br />proposes the lake yard. <br /> <br />Analysis <br />Lighting <br />Concern: As stated previously, our unique neighborhoods have evolved creatively over time, and <br />do not have uniform setbacks, nor do they have a uniform orientation or separation from each <br />other. The consequence is that the living areas of a home are often adjacent to the more private <br />areas of neighboring homes. Front or side security lights may be in line with neighboring <br />Application Summary: The draft ordinance proposes new language, defining glare and living <br />walls, establishing the same as nuisances, and provides lighting requirements. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as <br />drafted.