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ORONO PLANNING COMZIISSION MEETING HELD JULY 15, 1991 <br />($13)WEED CONTROL FABRICS CONTINUED <br />suggested that it may be appropriate to assign a certain <br />hardcover factor to the fabric. <br />Bellows agreed with Kelley that enforcing the use of fabrics <br />could be a real problem. She reiterated that there are more <br />issues that need to be considered in conjunction with the fabric <br />issue and that a comprehensive approach should be taken, rather <br />than one that is piecemeal. <br />The Planning Commission agreed that a handout addressing the <br />hardcover issue, such as the one used by the City of Eagan, would <br />be helpful. <br />Kelley polled the Planning Commission members for their <br />opinions regarding the following: <br />Whether landscaping fabric should be used within the 0 -75 <br />foot setback area. He asked how many members believe fabric <br />should not be used in this area. Johnson was undecided. Kelley, <br />Bellows, Cohen, Schroeder and Moos did not want to see anything <br />used within the 0 -75 foot setback area. Rowlette indicated that <br />it may be appropriate to use fabric in that area. <br />Kelley asked if the fabric is used in the 75 -250 foot <br />setback area, and is only considered to represent a fraction of <br />hardcover, should the percent of hardcover allowed within that <br />area be increased to compensate for the use of fabric. Johnson <br />and Rowlette indicated that they would favor increasing the <br />allowed percent in the 75 -250 foot setback area if fabric is <br />used. Kelley, Bellows did not agree. Cohen. Schroeder, and Moos <br />were undecided. Cohen indicated that he is concerned about the <br />fabric being a relatively new concept, and that it may have <br />drawbacks that have not yet been discovered. <br />Johnson stated that, currently, people can landscape the <br />entire area within the 75 -250 foot setback area, provided they <br />have nothing but ground below it. He questioned what difference <br />there would be, given the permeability of fabric, if people use <br />the fabric and landscape the entire 75 -250 foot setback area. He <br />stated that the method of calculating hardcover is too difficult <br />now. If the fabric is assigned a hardcover factor to be used in <br />the calculation, people will not even attempt to follow the <br />City's standards. <br />Kelley indicated that, for the time being, there had been <br />sufficient discussion on this topic. He asked Bellows if she had <br />anything to report in terms of the progress of the Facilities <br />Committee. <br />0 - 17 - <br />