05-23-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. #11 -3504 PUBLIC HEARING - CITY OF ORONO - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. GARDENAS A PERMITTED USE, Continued) 8. No port-a -potty would be permitted 9. Retail sales shall be prohibited 10. Hours - Dawn to dusk operation 11. Parking - user to identify parking for at least two stalls 12. No composting on site Planning Staff finds that it may be appropriate to amend the zoning code to allow private gardens as a permitted use in each residential district. Staff and the Planning Commission have begun to study the issue of community gardens. In an effort to give direction to the Council, the Planning Commission began to provide possible standards for a zoning code amendment relating to community gardens. However, the consensus of the Planning Commission and Staff is that codification of standards for community gardens, a new use, within the City is premature. This issue should be studied and discussed more extensively by the Council. Additionally, there are a number of policy decisions required before consideration of allowing this type of use on city property. • Staff would recommend the Council table the issue of community gardens for further discussion and review. In order to address the recent request to use the city -owned property behind the Long Lake /Orono fire station for a community, garden, Staff is suggesting the following options: • Option 1: Amend City Code Section 66 -191 regarding special events in order to define "community gardens on City property" as a Special Event and issue a Special Event Permit. The code amendment would be necessary as community gardens do not currently fall under the category of an "event" covered under the City's Special Event Permit; Option 2: Amend the Permitted Uses within residential zoning districts allowing gardening as a principal use and enter into a license agreement with the interested party to utilize the city -owned property for one season on a trial basis; Option 3: Designate the city -owned property as a park and enter into a license agreement with the interested party to use the city -owned park for one season on a trial basis. The park designation can be removed at any time in the future the Council deems appropriate; Option 4: Deny the request. Staff recommends approval of an amendment to allow gardening as a permitted use within all residential districts in the City. Staff recommends the Council consider Option #3 for community gardens. The City Council should hold a public hearing and consider directing Staff to draft an ordinance in order to allow gardening as a permitted use within all residential zoning districts. The Council, should also consider the discussion and the recommendations on community gardens and direct Staff on how to proceed. Franchot asked if one of the issues before the City Council tonight is whether gardening on a vacant lot • should be allowed as a principal use, which is unrelated to community gardening. Page 10 of 24