08-25-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 25,1997 • (#17 - City Policy Regarding Burning Permits - Continued) Kelley said he feels allowing burning would be very dangerous and should be at least 59 from any building. Jabbour indicated there are differences in the sizes of properties. Goetten indicated that an inspector used to come to the properties and inspect the areas. Kelley questioned whether inspections should still occur with a burning permit. Goetten said inspections should occur. Kelley asked if the building inspector has standards. Moorse said they are Iaid out in the application form. Kelley said he feels the conditions on the application form are not strict enough. He noted that Orono has become reforested and is concerned with trees being burned down and brush fires occurring. It was noted that an 8'x4' area is presently permitted for burning. He noted it is not stipulated how big a circumference around the pile should be free of debris. He questioned how the building inspector is to make that determination. Peterson also questioned who would police the fires. Kelley indicated there will be many more fires if permits are more easily obtained. He does not want to see Staff involved in making the many determinations and would like to see more definite standards and conditions, such as wind velocity. Kelley said he is • concerned with the fast spreading of fires. Goetten asked Kelley what conditions he would like to see in effect. Kelley said he is not an expert. He also indicated he is not totally against allowing burning but wants to be sure that there are adequate standards and conditions. Kelley said he would like to see the policy format redone. Jabbour saw the problem with not allowing burning and people doing it anyways. He would like to encourage residents to ask for permission and enable the City to provide expertise on the issue to the residents. It noted that a fire could burn for several days if confined to an 8' circle. A time limit was suggested. The fire code should determine the fire separation without requiring a fire wall with a 50' setback for so many feet. He feels the size of the fire should be in direct proportion to the distance from the building. Jabbour asked the Council if they were willing to amend the burning ordinance and allow Staff to study the issue further. Bob Gehrman suggested there were two issues to consider; the potential for loosening the rules regarding open burning; and for those who are unable to burn due to lot size, the need to provide for some type of disposal site or burning site. 21