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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday, September 10,2012 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Bremer stated that goes back to Council Member Rahn's comment at the beginning that the numbers are <br /> quite a bit higher than what the City would normally allow. Bremer noted the average lakeshore setback <br /> is intended on the lake lots to push the house further back from the 75-foot line. <br /> Gaffron stated the fact that the City Council is going to review the impacts of the ordinance changes in a <br /> year does provide some comfort. <br /> Rahn commented it may not take a year if a certain pattern develops that Staff finds problematic and <br /> adjustments can be made prior to 12 months. <br /> Bremer stated she would like to hear Staff's comments regarding the retaining wall issue. <br /> Gaffron stated it is likely regulating retaining walls evolved over the years and became more significant in <br /> the scheme of things as time went on. Gaffron stated in his view there is some value to reducing the slope <br /> and slowing down the runof£ A flat terrace will hold mare water than a 15 percent slope with a retaining <br /> wall. Gaffron indicated he can go either way with the retaining walls but that it would be simpler if they <br /> do not count retaining walls as hardcover. <br /> Curtis stated some applications have walls that meander rather than being a straight staircase and there are <br /> applications that request grading in the 0-75 foot area,which can result in the creation of a little retaining <br /> wall to hold the stairs up. The City now has an engineer in-house that can evaluate those applications. <br /> Curtis stated in her view those are the areas where the City can make it easier for the residents and that <br /> residents are limited to stairways that are no wider than four feet. <br /> Rahn amended his motion,Bremer seconded,to adopt,as written,an Ordinance Amending <br /> Regulations Governing the Regulation of Hardcover and Establishing the Stormwater Quality <br /> Overlay District. <br /> Mattick noted it is still the City's intention to not allow those items in the 0-75 foot zone even though <br /> they have been excluded from the hardcover calculations in other zones. Mattick suggested the Council <br /> may want to consider revising the exclusion introductory language by amending Section 78-1680 to <br /> basically say that you cannot put any hardcover except for these following items in order to clarify that <br /> those items are still not allowed in the 0-75 foot zone. Mattick stated in his opinion it is not the intention <br /> of the Council to allow retaining walls in the 0-75 foot zone. <br /> McMillan asked if the City Attorney would like to draft some language prior to adopting the ordinance. <br /> Mattick stated the Council could approve the draft as written with the direction that that language be <br /> clarified. Mattick noted the ordinance would come back before the Council for final approval. <br /> McMillan noted the local newspapers have not covered the City's work on the hardcover ordinance and <br /> that she would like Staff to put together something that can be submitted to the newspapers. McMillan <br /> stated the Council could do the final vote in two weeks. <br /> Franchot asked whether Council Member Rahn would be agreeable to amending his motion to include the <br /> direction that Staff will provide a report 12 months after formal adoption of the ordinance concerning the <br /> impacts of the changes. <br /> Page 6 of 26 <br />