10-25-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 25, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. #10 -3483 CITY OF ORONO —ZONING AMENDMENT— COL UMBARIUM, Continued) property, a 5 -foot setback from non - residentially zoned property, and a 5 -foot setback from City -owned parks. The other components, such as a minimum 50 -foot setback from adjacent properties and year - round screening, remain the same with both options. White stated the presentation at the last City Council meeting showed that the 5 -foot setback would work better for Good Shepherd so they can utilize some flatter ground and avoid the need to remove a large number of trees. White indicated he would support the 5 -foot setback. Franchot asked what the restriction is as it relates to height. Curtis indicated the above ground columbaria would follow the same setback requirements of a fence or a structure. If the columbarium is over six feet in an area where a fence could be six feet high, it would require a 5 -foot setback. Franchot asked what the difference is between a structure and a fence in terms of definition. Franchot indicated he has a concern that the structure may get too big. Franchot asked if there is a maximum size allowed for the columbarium. Curtis stated the maximum size of the columbarium has not been identified since each structure would be different. If the structure exceeds six feet, it would need to meet the structural setbacks. The minimum setback for a shed would be ten feet. McMillan asked if the structure could go 30 feet high. Curtis stated the amendment does not contemplate a maximum height of the columbarium. McMillan asked if other cities have a height limitation on this type of structure. Murphy commented typically columbaria are designed so that people can read or touch their relatives' remains and the structures are not overly high. Franchot asked whether Staff has a concern regarding the height. Curtis stated Staff has looked at this under the accessory structure standards and that she is aware of taller columbaria in other areas but that Staff felt the accessory structure limitations would address that. McMillan noted she did visit the Good Shepherd site and that an above ground structure is very different from an in ground memorial garden. A 5 -foot setback would not provide enough room for year -round screening. McMillan asked if an in ground memorial garden would need to be screened year -round and that it would be nice to have some vistas versus a fence. McMillan stated that perhaps there should be a distinction between in ground and above ground columbaria. Curtis stated the Planning Commission wanted to be able to provide some screening for privacy. • McMillan stated she would prefer the applicants have the prerogative to provide year -round screening or leave it more natural. Page 5 of 17