11-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 19, 2015 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 17 Russin stated he also has an issue with the Orono Police Department enforcing the lighting code. Russin stated he has called the police several times about the lights and that they were told to cover their window with solid material. Russin indicated he did not receive good service from the police department and that in his view enforcement has to be through some other avenue. Russin displayed a picture of the lighting. Russin noted they hired a professional photographer to come out and photograph the lights when there was no moon. The neighbor has had as many as 12 floodlights on at one time pointed at his house. Russin stated the neighbor’s house is located up on the hill and that the light comes into his house. Russin displayed a picture of his master bedroom and the reflection of the light on the bedroom door. Russin pointed out his bedroom has small windows, which prevents even more light from coming in, but that it is still lit up. In addition, the entire back of their house is lit up by this individual’s lights. Russin stated in one of the court hearings, the judge wrote in her order that this individual would probably put a cannon on the dock and fire it because the City did not specifically say he could not. Russin stated in his view, whenever they ask for a relief valve, the neighbor will do something else to circumvent the City’s regulations, which is why he is asking for more detail to be included in the ordinance. Russin displayed a picture of the Wagner property. Russin indicated originally there were five of these lights and each one of them has three bulbs. Russin stated they also light up the inside of his house all night long. Another five lights have since been put in, for a total of 30 bulbs now. Russin stated he is in favor of beautifying property but that he is not sure why these lights have to stay on until 1:30 at night. Russin stated if they were for safety, they would stay on all night long. Russin stated he does not care that these are commercial lights on the property but that they cannot stay on until 1 or 2 in the morning. Russin stated the only time they vary is because of daytime savings. Russin stated their entire house is lit up on both sides. Russin noted the lights are 53 feet from the lake and that in his view it is a safety hazard because someone might mistake them for landing lights since there are so many of them. Russin stated the neighbor initially started with a flashlight over his head as he walked through the easement path and that he called it in numerous times but the police questioned how he would know it was his neighbor. Russin indicated he finally put an animal camera on the easement, which stopped the