03/21/2005 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 21,2005 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#05-3093 Jeff Lindgren,Continued) Kempf moved,Berg seconded,to recommend approval of Application#05-3093, Streeter& Associates on behalf of Michael and Berit Francis,2995 Watertown Road,granting of a conditional use permit to allow plumbing within an accessory structure. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. 9. #05-3098 CITY OF ORONO, SECTION 78-1285,ZONING AMENDMENT, 7:33 p.m.—7:58 p.m. Gaffron addressed the Planning Commission regarding the proposed ordinance amendment. Gaffron noted the Planning Commission did review this amendment at their previous work session. The intent of the ordinance amendment is to incorporate vegetation restoration requirements and vegetation replacement requirements. Gaffron noted one of the comments from the Planning Commission was to identify more specifically locations where permits would be required for invasive species removal, which has been added to the amendment. A permit would be required to remove invasive species within 75 feet of the shoreline of a lake or tributary, on steep slopes, or within a bluff impact zone. In addition,the Planning Commission recommended establishing standards for what trees or plants may be removed. Gaffron indicated it is difficult to develop such a list since it would be incomplete and that the condition or location of an otherwise high quality, appropriate tree may impact whether it should be removed. Gaffron stated Staff does follow a number of rules of thumb but would prefer they not be codified since homeowners may start to make their own interpretations and remove trees that Staff would normally not allow to be removed. Gaffron stated included within the ordinance amendment is the addition of the language requiring that a vegetation restoration plan shall be submitted whenever there is intensive vegetation clearing. Gaffron noted the ordinance amendment also requires vegetation restoration plan approval by the Council in the event that trees or vegetation are removed, cut,pruned, or trimmed in violation of the City's rules. The City may require the following: 1. The planting of up to three replacement trees of a species and size approved by the City for each tree illegally removed. Native species will generally be required. Determinations of suitability of proposed replacement trees will take into account compatability with surrounding vegetation, appropriate caliper(2"minimum) for greatest expectation of survivability while ensuring the earliest restoration of canopy. 2. Planting of replacement understory, shrubbery, and groundcovers in a manner that will return the property to its condition prior to the violation in the shortest reasonable time period, and when appropriate, enhance the erosion control capability from the pre-existing condition. PAGE 14