08-19-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,August 19, 2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#02-2819 TIM DEVRIES, Continued) Staff went on to recommend that the area of fill and truck traffic on Lot 5 be reduced to about half the area proposed, and that the applicant take extra precautions to avoid any disruption within 50' of tested drainfield sites, to allow for future flexibility. With regard to the Engineers comments, Gaffron pointed out that it was suggested that heavy duty silt fencing be installed around the entire site where fill will be moved to. Gaffron commented that since the"drainage easement" on the survey/original plat define the boundary of the area originally protected by C&F easement, and new delineations show wetland boundaries differently than the conservation easement, a question is raised as to whether the C&F easement should be revised to reflect the new wetland boundaries. Gaffron continued that it appears to staff from the wetland report many of the wetland areas that weren't defined in 1983 are Type 1/2 wetlands,which the City in recent years has opted not to formally protect by easement but rather by filing in the chain of title a document notifying current and future owners that there are WCA wetlands on the site which are regulated. Gaffron stated that several option exist for the Planning Commission to consider: First, do nothing; Second, require the property owner to grant the City a revised C&F easement for the portion of the wetland not included in the easement at the time of subdivision, a costly option requiring a new legal description, survey, and filing of easement; Or third, acknowledge the non-City protected, WCA-protected wetlands via a notification document to be filed in the title. With regard to lighting, Gaffron pointed out that the tennis court was intended to be convertible to hockey rink use in the winter. The intention was to provide lighting around the rink structure, which has raised issue with at least one neighbor. Susan Wilson, 325 Brown Road, submitted a letter voicing her concern with regard to lighting and protected wetlands. She wished to see the courts moved to the adjoining vacant lot and worried that lighting would disrupt their quiet view. Gaffron reminded the applicant that ice is light colored and highly reflective and consideration should be given to use of shoebox downward cast lighting with diffusers or timers to ensure lights are turned off when not in use. In conclusion, Gaffron stated that staff recommended approval based on 6 conditions noted in the memorandum dated August 15, 2002. Mabusth asked where the new wetland delineation lines were. Gaffron pointed out that the wetland delineation was positioned somewhat closer into the center portion of the property than previously noted. PAGE 20 of 28