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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 19,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Joey Mandel stated it is approximately 75 to 80 feet. Mandel stated as it relates to the view, if his parents <br /> were looking straight out at the lake from the house,that view is not affected, but if they look to the right, <br /> it is impacted. <br /> Schoenzeit stated as proposed it is the fence setback line and not the 75-foot line,which would cover the <br /> view to the right. Schoenzeit stated the City's proposal is more aggressive than the 75-foot line. <br /> Barnhart stated previous versions were at the 75-foot line and that the more recent version reflects the <br /> average lakeshore setback. <br /> Joey Mandel stated the neighbor's home is well away from this wall. <br /> Barnhart displayed an aerial photograph of the property. <br /> Mike Russin, 3175 North Shore Drive, stated the situation with this neighbor started ten years ago and <br /> that he appreciates the City taking a look at this. Russin noted their properly is not on the lake but that <br /> they did have a view of the lake when they first purchased the property approximately 20 years ago. <br /> Russin indicated they built a screen porch a number of years ago, and because of the living wall,they <br /> cannot see the lake anymore. Russin stated if that living wall was put in to shield someone from looking <br /> in that neighbor's windows, that is one thing, but the house is far away from the trees and that it is not for <br /> privacy. Russin stated the living wall was put in there because they complained about other things. <br /> Russin stated their general concern with the proposal is having some type of relief valve for special <br /> circumstances, and the reason for that is to deal with the white fence. Russin stated as the fence was <br /> going in, he called the City, and after a couple of conversations,the City told him they were going to take <br /> a pass on enforcing the ordinance. Russin stated the fence is ugly and white, but the biggest issue is, if <br /> you look at the fence,there are gaps because one section is eight feet high and other sections are six, <br /> which leaves a two-foot gap in some areas. Russin stated he also has watched the maintenance guy blow <br /> all the leaves under the living wall into the Mandels' property on a couple of occasions. Russin asked <br /> how they can resolve that situation. <br /> Russin stated the other issue relates to the lighting. Russin stated the general issue with the lighting is the <br /> one-foot candle. Russin noted .4 is the lightness of the moon coming in but that moonlight is natural <br /> light. Russin stated the neighbor has five commercial size lights that are extremely bright. <br /> Russin stated he also has an issue with the Orono Police Department enforcing the lighting code. Russin <br /> stated he has called the police several times about the lights and that they were told to cover their window <br /> with solid materiaL Russin indicated he did not receive good service from the police department and that <br /> in his view enforcement has to be through some other avenue. <br /> Russin displayed a picture of the lighting. Russin noted they hired a professional photographer to come <br /> out and photograph the lights when there was no moon. The neighbor has had as many as 12 floodlights <br /> on at one time pointed at his house. Russin stated the neighbor's house is located up on the hill and that <br /> the light comes into his house. <br /> Russin displayed a picture of his master bedroom and the reflection of the light on the bedroom door. <br /> Russin pointed out his bedroom has small windows, which prevents even more light from coming in, but <br /> that it is still lit up. In addition,the entire back of their house is lit up by this individual's lights. <br /> Page 22 of 29 <br />