06-27-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, .lune 27, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 13. #16-3815 HALF STORY DEFINITIONIMASSING REGULATIONS — ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE — ORDINANCE NO. 173 (continued) McMillan stated she is thinking more about how it is measured. Walsh noted that is not changing and that simply the half -story definition is being eliminated. McMillan commented she knows there has been some discussion regarding the height issue in the past and that she did not know if Staff and the Council are comfortable with the 30 -foot limitation. Curtis stated the requirement for height of the stories will keep the height down and that the basement will still need to be in the ground a certain distance. Curtis indicated Staff will still measure the total height of the building the same way. McMillan noted the restriction on the number of stories acted as a cap and that they now could potentially have taller houses. Curtis stated they are still measuring from existing grade. Gaffron stated keeping some of the limits on roof height in place will keep the height of the homes down and that the new ordinance will make it easier for builders, homeowners and Staff to understand. Kelly Olson, 3470 North Shore Drive, stated her concern is with the structural maximum. Olson stated on her lot, there is an easement over the lot for the driveway that is not covered in the total square footage of the lot. Olson stated that leaves them with the 15 percent limit but that their lot is under 10,000 square feet. Olson stated if someone has a standard three -car garage, which is 700 square feet, which only leaves 800 square feet for the main level. Olson commented she is not sure whether there is any wiggle room there when the garage is taken into consideration and the hardcover requirements are met. Walsh stated that is more of a larger conversation and that the City Council will be talking about the 15 percent and whether it is needed. Walsh stated in his view the property owner should meet the hardcover requirements and the structural coverage limit should go away. Walsh stated that is a discussion the City Council will be having and that he perceives a small lot as a hardship. McMillan stated they will not be able to give her an answer on that tonight. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO.173 , Third Series, and Summary of No. 173, an Ordinance Amending the Orono Municipal Code by Amending Sections 78-1; 78-230; 78-255; 78-305; 78-330; 78-350; 78-370; 78-395; 78-420; 78-572; 78-646; 78-672; 78-707; 78-736; 78- 766; 78-797; 78-825, Regarding Limitations on Number of Stories and Definitions of Basement, Walkout Basement, Half Story, and Story. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Page 16