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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 /> Russin indicated he has tried to resolve this many, many times with the City but has basically been <br /> ignored. Russin stated it is impossible to draft language to address all scenarios in planning ordinances <br /> but that a relief valve solution will enable the City to address each situation with an objective thought <br /> process. In that way citizens would be encouraged to work out their issues before mediation is put into <br /> effect, which will lessen the ultimate burden placed upon the City. Russin stated that way all residents <br /> will be served rather than the privileged, motivated and/or wealthy families who are able to actively seek <br /> gray zones. Russin stated the situation is very, very unfortunate. <br /> Acting Chair Landgraver closed the public hearing at 9:16 p.m. <br /> Landgraver asked if Staff should bundle these or separate the ordinances. <br /> It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to separate the ordinances. <br /> Landgraver suggested the Planning Commission discuss the living wall component first. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the living wa11 definitions are fair and usable but that his concern would be once it <br /> becomes an ordinance and a nuisance definition is available, once someone brings the nuisance to the <br /> City, mitigation is not part of the ordinance. Schoenzeit asked what the venue or avenue is to discuss the <br /> mitigation. Schoenzeit stated if that is not defined, in his view it is going to be an issue. Schoenzeit <br /> stated you can change the mathematical spacing but it might still be opaque, which will not solve any <br /> problems. <br /> Barnhart stated he does not have a solution to that at this time. Barnhart acknowledged that there are <br /> landscaping, trees, and other natural improvements that do block views of the lake. Barnhart stated <br /> someone can have a row of maple trees 20 feet apart that will block the view just as effectively as a row <br /> of evergreen trees. Barnhart stated how the City mitigates the nuisance is to make sure the improvement <br /> does not meet the definition of a living wall, and that mitigation could include trimming the tree or <br /> removing the tree. Barnhart stated there are a lot of scenarios but that it depends on actual dimensions <br /> and field work. <br /> Page 35 of 44 <br />