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. (7. PUBLIC HEARING - ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR NPDES PHASE II STORM WATER PERMIT, Continued) Acting Mayor Printup closed the public hearing at 8:01 p.m. The City Council took no formal action on this item. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 8. ##11 -3504 PUBLIC HEARING - CITY OF ORONO - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS: GARDEN AS A PERMITTED USE, 8:02 P.M. - 8:40 P.M. Curtis stated the City was recently approached by individuals interested in creating a community garden in Orono. The community garden would be run by volunteers. They propose to utilize vacant property to plant and maintain a garden for the purpose of donating the harvest to a local food bank/charity. In April, the City Council directed Staff to study code amendments regarding community gardens. Gardening is currently allowed in Orono as an accessory use within residential zoning districts. A permitted principal use must be present on the property prior to the accessory use being allowed. Because of this, it made sense to also include private, residential gardens in the study. Within the residential zoning districts, text amendments would be necessary in order to classify private gardens as a principal, permitted use. On May 16, 2011, the Planning Commission voted 6 -0 to forward their recommendations to the City Council. The recommendations generally are as follows: The Commission recommended the Council adopt an amendment to the code within all residential districts to allow gardening as a permitted principal use. In regards to community gardens, the Planning Commission made the following suggested recommendations: 1. Community gardening could be permitted in all districts; 2. No minimum acreage should be required; 3. There should be a special permit or agreement between the City and the user if on City property; 4. Multi- tenant community gardens do not seem to be a good fit for Orono; 5. Setbacks from property lines for the garden area - two options were identified: a. 10 -foot minimum setback; or b. Principal structure setbacks based on underlying zoning district; 6. Nothing permanent should be permitted on the property: a. Only temporary fencing allowed - T -posts and welded fencing were suggested b. . No buildings or structures, sheds, gazebos, farm stands, etc. C. No benches, picnic tables, storage bins /containers, bike racks, compost containers, lighting, or raised planting beds; • 7. Signage - two options identified: a. No signage; or b. Signage permitted according to underlying zoning district Page 9 of 24