11-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 19, 2015 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 17 Schoenzeit stated as proposed it is the fence setback line and not the 75-foot line, which would cover the view to the right. Schoenzeit stated the City’s proposal is more aggressive than the 75-foot line. Barnhart stated previous versions were at the 75-foot line and that the more recent version reflects the average lakeshore setback. Joey Mandel stated the neighbor’s home is well away from this wall. Barnhart displayed an aerial photograph of the property. Mike Russin, 3175 North Shore Drive, stated the situation with this neighbor started ten years ago and that he appreciates the City taking a look at this. Russin noted their property is not on the lake but that they did have a view of the lake when they first purchased the property approximately 20 years ago. Russin indicated they built a screen porch a number of years ago, and because of the living wall, they cannot see the lake anymore. Russin stated if that living wall was put in to shield someone from looking in that neighbor’s windows, that is one thing, but the house is far away from the trees and that it is not for privacy. Russin stated the living wall was put in there because they complained about other things. Russin stated their general concern with the proposal is having some type of relief valve for special circumstances, and the reason for that is to deal with the white fence. Russin stated as the fence was going in, he called the City, and after a couple of conversations, the City told him they were going to take a pass on enforcing the ordinance. Russin stated the fence is ugly and white, but the biggest issue is, if you look at the fence, there are gaps because one section is eight feet high and other sections are six, which leaves a two-foot gap in some areas. Russin stated he also has watched the maintenance guy blow all the leaves under the living wall into the Mandels’ property on a couple of occasions. Russin asked how they can resolve that situation. Russin stated the other issue relates to the lighting. Russin stated the general issue with the lighting is the one-foot candle. Russin noted .4 is the lightness of the moon coming in but that moonlight is natural light. Russin stated the neighbor has five commercial size lights that are extremely bright.