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ORONO JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION <br />& CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />Wednesday, March 2, 2011 <br />5:30 o'clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />  <br />Page 2  <br />  <br />   <br />hardcover in the 0-75 foot zone and reduce the massing on the lots, but over time the regulations grew <br />more complicated. Orono has achieved a great outcome over the years but the regulations should be <br />simplified and adjusted to today’s technology. <br /> <br />Rahn commented simplification of the regulations should be a primary goal to make it more <br />understandable by contractors and builders, which would reduce the time that Staff has to spend <br />explaining the regulations. Rahn stated the amount of hardcover currently allowed by the City is at a <br />good level but that the different zones contribute to the confusion. Rahn stated the City should determine <br />whether they want to continue with the different zones. <br /> <br />McMillan commented that the smaller lots and different shapes of the lots can also be problematic at <br />times. <br /> <br />Kang stated that it appears from the comments that appearance and massing is also another major <br />component. <br /> <br />Rahn stated the other item he would like to see is uniformity between the lakeshore cities and that the <br />City should look at what other cities are doing for setbacks and hardcover. <br /> <br />Gozola pointed out the tiering concept is unique to Orono. <br /> <br />Leskinen stated she would like to see the terminology be consistent throughout the regulations and that a <br />decision needs to be made on what constitutes an impervious surface. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit stated performance standards would allow the applicant and the City some flexibility to bring <br />the plan into compliance. Performance standards would also put the burden on the applicant rather than <br />having the Planning Commission redesign the plan or suggest modifications. In addition, the City should <br />identify where the 50 percentile is in the variances, which may eliminate some of the customary <br />variances. <br /> <br />McMillan stated a lot of comments that they receive from applicants relates to the amount of money that <br />they have paid for the lot and that they complain they are not allowed to construct whatever they want on <br />the lot. <br /> <br />Franchot stated the City needs to be careful about institutionalizing circular logic. <br /> <br />McMillan commented part of the problem is that people are not aware of the City's hardcover regulations. <br /> <br />Franchot stated he is not familiar with the number of variances that are granted in relation to the overall <br />activity of the Planning Department, which would be helpful to know. Franchot indicated he understands <br />how the City evolved into their current regulations, but that the decisions are beginning to feel somewhat <br />arbitrary. Franchot stated the City should focus on outcomes that are desirable and talk about standards, <br />which would make the regulations logical to the applicants. <br /> <br />Bremer stated a number of people have asked the City Council to eliminate the zones, which is now one <br />of the items being proposed. Bremer noted the different zones have been established to help limit <br />structure and hardcover near the lake, but that she does not want to go away from Orono being the <br />Item #03 - CC Agenda - 03/14/2011 <br />Approval of Joint Planning Commission & City Council <br />Work Session Minutes [Page 2 of 13]