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MINUTES OF THE <br /> - ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 17,2005 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#05-3131 Steve Bohl,Continued) <br /> Gronberg stated the developer is amenable to any recommendations Staff would have in the way of <br /> landscaping. <br /> Rahn stated in his opinion Staff should review the landscape plan and that he would also prefer that the <br /> Park Commission indicate whether they are in support of the trail extension into the development. <br /> Rahn stated the request for the variance for Lots 7 and 8 would need to be reviewed by the city's wetland <br /> consultant. <br /> Gronberg indicated he used to live across the street from this area and that he knows the history of that <br /> wetland. <br /> Kempf stated he is unsure whether the history would play a big part in determining whether that should be <br /> classified as wetland. Kempf inquired what process should be followed to get a wetland reclassified. <br /> Gaffron stated the City's wetland consultant would review the area and that he would complete a <br /> standardized review of the wetland,reviewing the characteristics of the wetland,and would then <br /> determine what preservation class it would fall into. Gaffron stated the code is set up to allow the <br /> developer's consultant to do an assessment and that the City's consultant could either reject or accept the <br /> applicant's proposal. Gaffron indicated to his understanding the process takes approximately one month. <br /> Kempf stated he would like to see whether the wetland should be reclassified, and that if it were not <br /> reclassified, due to the type of density the City is attempting to achieve in this area,he would not be <br /> opposed to a variance. <br /> Gronberg indicated a number of cities have an averaging feature to the setback for wetlands. <br /> Kempf stated that might not work with buffers. <br /> Leslie indicated he is in agreement of seeing whether this wetland should be reclassified, and if it is not <br /> reclassified, it would be necessary to look at whether there is a hardship to grant a variance. <br /> Rahn inquired whether the City's consultant could take a look at it prior to starting the process to <br /> reclassify it. <br /> Gaffron recommended that John Smythe take a look at the area this week and then speak with the <br /> developer's consultant to see what type of solution could be reached. Gaffron indicated he would prefer <br /> to use averaging when there are no other options and that in this case the developer could reduce the <br /> number of lots to avoid the need for a variance. <br /> Kempf stated in his opinion averaging the setbacks would be confusing to the various property owners. <br /> PAGE 4 <br />