08-17-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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' MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,July 20,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Schoenzeit asked if these extensions would be granted by Staff or by the City Council. Barnhart stated that would be an item for discussion but that he gets a little uncomfortable with an extension two or three years past the initial approval being approved by Staff. Acting Chair Landgraver opened the public hearing at 8:31 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Acting Chair Landgraver closed the public hearing at 8:31 p.m. Landgraver noted the language included in the draft ordinance reads as follows: A site plan review approval shall become null and void one year after the date of approval unless the property owner or applicant has substantially started the construction of any building, structure, addition, or alteration, or use requested as part of the approved plan. Landgraver asked if the ordinance would extend that approval out to four years or whether the property owner would have to do one of these activities every year to show momentum and continuity. Landgraver stated he reads it that as long as someone does the first one, they would get up to four years. Barnhart stated an extension would need to be applied for every year. Barnhart indicated he did not intend to imply that someone would need to make progress every year but that it is probably the goal to make progress. Schoenzeit noted the applicants would have some substantial expense associated with getting their project approved given the engineering and surveying and that the City probably would like them to be able to preserve that for some period of time through an administrative extension. Barnhart stated they also want to avoid the situation where people do not have the money to continue with the project and then they are afraid that their permit might go away, which is the purpose for the four year extension as well. Thiesse stated his concern is all of a sudden the bank has a piece of property that they are unable to get rid of and the City has forced them into a clean slate. Thiesse stated allowing the public to have another say, however, after four or five years is reasonable. Landgraver stated the number of extensions needs to be tightened up, which this ordinance helps to do. Thiesse asked if this is for preliminary plat or final plat. Barnhart indicated it would cover variances, site plan approvals, conditional use permits, and preliminary plats. Schoenzeit moved,Lemke seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 15-3754, City of Orono,Amend City Code Regarding Application Approval Extensions allowing a maximum of four extensions. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. 7. #15-3755 CITY OF ORONO,AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 78-72 REGARDING NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES, 8:37 P.M.—8:48 P.M. Page 19 of 25