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ORONO JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Wednesday, March 2, 2011 5:30 o'clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 Schoenzeit stated it is more likely in Orono to have someone spend a fair amount of money to build something to help infiltrate the water rather than lose a significant amount of parking lot and that performance standards would allow the City to be more proactive. Gozola indicated the current code also includes a provision granting credits when shared driveways are used, which is one way to reduce hardcover. Things for the group to consider are: One, does the City want to continue this practice; and two, the Code does not appear to give property owners credits when public roads or other hard surfaces are accidentally built outside of easements or right-of-way. Gozola asked whether the City would also like to provide credits where there are encroachments on someone else’s lot. Bremer noted that while it does not appear in the Code, the City Council does give the property owner credit for that when the application is before the Council. Rahn asked whether they are speaking of residential properties with the shared driveways. Bremer indicated they are. Rahn stated he would like to eliminate shared driveways between residential properties since it tends to create problems in the future. Rahn suggested a penalty be imposed rather than an incentive. Gozola commented that is actually a common sentiment in other cities. Gaffron indicated that provision came about in an effort to address existing situations rather than as an incentive to have shared driveways. McMillan asked whether any credit is currently given to people who have a shared driveway. McMillan stated one of the problems is the configuration of the lot and the driveway, which sometimes creates long driveways. Curtis noted the City does have minimum standards for driveways, but that a long, thin lot requires a longer driveway. Bremer stated in the past the 15 percent structural coverage number was imposed very strictly and that they were given a minimal driveway. McMillan noted the City also has minimal standards for things such as driveways and sidewalks. Bremer stated the average lakeshore setback, which is intended to preserve the view of the lake, also helps to reduce the length of the driveway by pulling the house back away from the lake and closer to the street. Curtis commented the 15 percent structural coverage limit is helpful to Staff. Gozola stated another area of the code he would recommend the group look at is their tiered system. The City has historically protected the first 75 feet of area beyond the OHW and uses a tiering system for hardcover beyond that point. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 03/14/2011 Approval of Joint Planning Commission & City Council Work Session Minutes [Page 7 of 13]