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MINUTES OF T� <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING , <br /> Monday,May 16,2011 <br /> ' 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff further recommends approval of a zoning text amendment to allow single-user,nonprofit <br /> � community gardens within the City in accordance with the following: community gardens may be <br /> allowed on only city-owned property in conjunction with a permit and fee;the user should be a nonprofit <br /> group and proceeds should be donated to charity;principal structure setbacks should be required for all <br /> � garden uses;no permanent fencing should be pernutted;no commercial sale of produce or farm stands <br /> should be permitted;parking shall be in a designated area with a maximum of two vehicles or one school <br /> bus on the site at one time; one port-a-potty pernutted at principal structure setback;no permanent : <br /> structures should be allowed-raised beds, sheds,etc.; and a single sign no greater than 4'x 4'should be <br /> permitted to identify the site. <br /> Lesldnen asked if a community garden were located on city property,if the City would be at increased <br /> liability risk and whether the site must be ADA compliant. <br /> Curtis stated she spoke with Orono's building official today regarding the ADA compliance and he <br /> indicated he will need to do some additional research on that. Curtis stated there would need to be some <br /> way to address the liability issue and that the City Attorney would need to address that. <br /> Leslcinen asked if that is something the Planning Commission should address or whether they should <br /> leave that to the Council. � <br /> Curtis indicated in her vie,w it is a policy decision that should be addressed by the City Council. <br /> Alexander asked if it is necessary for the Planning Commission to think about the types of chemicals that <br /> would be allowed to be used and the effects on runoff on a city-owned property. <br /> Curtis stated that is something that could be put in place with the permit. Curtis pointed out that there are <br /> a number of issues that Staff has not raised tonight. The majority of the issues raised by Staff in the <br /> report are planning issues, such as land use impacts,but that governing the types of chemicals could be <br /> addressed in the pernut. <br /> Thiesse asked if this process could be accomplished in sufficient time or on an interim basis to allow for a <br /> garden this year. Thiesse commented that there are a number of issues that should be thoroughly <br /> reviewed and that in his view the process should not be rushed. <br /> ♦ <br /> . Curtis stated she would like the Planning Commission to go through the issues tonight, and if the <br /> Planning Commission feels it has sufficiently addre'ssed the issues outlined in the report,as well as any <br /> other issues that are raised tonight,then the application could be brought forward to the City Council. If <br /> the Planning Commission is not satisfied and would like additional information,the application can be <br /> tabled. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether anyone has made a formal application to the City for a community garden. <br /> Curtis indicated no one has made a formal application or a formal request to the City at this point but that <br /> there is one group who has expressed interest in creating a community garden. Curtis noted there are <br /> some people in the audience tonight who would like to speak on this application. <br /> Levang noted she has interest in this application and that she is part of the group that would like to create <br /> a community garden in Orono. . <br /> Page 5 <br />