08/15/2005 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,August 15,2005 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-3039 City of Orono,Proposed Ordinance Amendment,Continued) 15-feet in width. Because a permit application is subject to both City of Orono and MCWD requirements, the minimum 16.5-foot buffer will be enforced regardless of whether it is required by the City. Gaffron recommended that as a matter of efficiency, it is advantageous to minimize the discrepancies between the City of Orono and MCWD requirements. Gaffron noted the MCWD also requires the recording of a"Declaration"with the Hennepin County Recorder to memorialize the obligations of a property owner towards a wetland buffer. As a matter of efficiency,it may be advantageous to obligate a permit applicant to record one document that identifies both the concerns of the City of Orono and MCWD. Gaffron stated tonight's meeting is being held to allow for public comment on the revisions,identify any issues that need further consideration, determine whether any revisions should be made to the draft ordinance, and make a recommendation to Council regarding adoption of the ordinance. Gaffron noted the City's moratorium prohibiting wetland alterations and prohibiting the granting of building or land alteration permits or permit approvals is set to expire on August 23, 2005. Gaffron indicated he would be asking the Council to adopt an interim ordinance in the event that the Planning Commission does not have a recommendation concerning the ordinance amendment which would establish standards previously adopted by the City. Leslie inquired whether the MCWD feels that the utilizing of common sets of baseline information is a best practices concern or whether it is the MCWD's recommendation that this be embedded in the ordinance. Gaffron stated it is his impression that the MCWD is recommending that the City adopt the MCWD Functional Assessment of Wetlands,which is a tool that is advocated by the MCWD to identify geographic location, approximate size, function and value, and management classification. Gaffron stated wetland classes identified by the City should be consistent with the classifications indicated in the Functional Assessment of Wetlands. Leslie inquired whether there are any counter examples where the 16.5-foot buffer would not be enforced and the City's proposed 15-foot buffer would be enforced. Gaffron stated the MCWD's regulations would be enforced in all situations and recommended that the City's buffers be made consistent with the MCWD. Bremer inquired whether a restore protection classification would also be included in the City's proposed ordinance. Gaffron stated he does plan to speak with the MCWD regarding that item in the near future. Gaffron stated in his opinion that language could be added in the future to the ordinance amendment. Bremer concurred that the City should be consistent with MCWD's buffer zones. PAGE 3