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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 20,2004 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> OLD BUSINESS <br /> 3. #02-2830 CITY OF ORONO,BUILDING HEIGHTS, CODE AMENDMENTS, <br /> 6:06 p.m.—6:11 p.m. <br /> Gundlach noted this item was reviewed at the last Planning Commission work session. Gundlach <br /> indicated the City of Orono is requesting that the current building height code be amended to reflect the <br /> current policies which have been in place since 2001 or earlier and which have been written as a policy <br /> statement since November of 2002. Gundlach indicated it was the intention of the City in November of <br /> 2002 that the policy statement would eventually be incorporated into the code,which is the action that <br /> Staff is proposing at this time. <br /> Gundlach indicated the proposed new building height language has changed slightly since the last <br /> review by the Planning Commission, with Staff electing to amend every single height code in each <br /> zoning district rather than trying to clarify the 2-1/2 story limitation and the 30-foot limitation within the <br /> building height definition. <br /> Gundlach indicated Staff felt the amendment to each zoning district was a clearer clarification and that <br /> Staff has also defined the half-story separately rather than defining it in the building height definition. <br /> Gundlach noted the word median has replaced the word average in the definition of building height, <br /> which was discussed at the work session. In addition,the highest point for measuring was further <br /> clarified when dormers and windows exist in the upper story or half story, with the upper measuring <br /> point being the median point between the top of the window and the top of the peak. <br /> Staff is recommending approval of the language as outlined in the Planner's Report dated <br /> September 20, 2004. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Bremer commented she prefers the new language. <br /> Leslie stated he concurs with Bremer, and commented that in his opinion the proposed language is more <br /> consistent with what the original intent was when 2-1/2 story or 30-foot was initially drafted. <br /> Rahn moved,Bremer seconded,to recommend approval of the Building Height Code Amendment <br /> for the City of Orono as outlined in the September 20,2004 Planner's Report. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> 4. #04-3024 CITY OF ORONO, CUP FOR VEHICLE STORAGE—CODE AMENDMENT, <br /> 6:12 p.m.—6:45 p.m. <br /> Gaffron noted this is the latest version of the amendment to the City's large vehicle storage for vehicles <br /> exceeding 14,000 pounds gross weight. The Planning Commission at its August 31st work session <br /> reviewed the pros and cons of allowing large vehicle storage as a conditional use. Gaffron indicated he <br /> does not feel a conditional use permit is the best approach to this situation since a conditional use permit <br /> in a code generally means that that is a use that is allowed in a district provided certain conditions are <br /> met. Gaffron noted the Planning Commission at its work session did express some concern whether it is <br /> legal and advisable to limit the conditional use permit to just those existing users. The City Attorney <br /> PAGE 2 <br />