04/15/2013 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,April 15,2013 6:30 o'clock p.m. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission and the City Council will need to feel comfortable they are not � giving up something that they feel is important. Schoenzeit stated another aspect is to look at the various triggers and how that has impacted different projects. Gaffron stated that is another thing to take into consideration, and noted from 1973 to 2005,the City had nothing but a 20-foot wetland setback. The City did not require those other things and a number of homes and commercial buildings, including city hall, have been built without those requirements. At the time many of those structures were constructed,there was no delineation process other than a survey depicting generally where the wetland was. As time went on,the federal government required additional protection of wetlands,which resulted in buffers and setbacks to buffers. Gaffron stated one question the City has to consider is whether they want some sort of setback from the wetland and then determine whether they will lose that if the City goes back to just having the Watershed District deal with it under their code. Gaffron indicated with a house that is located 40 feet from the edge of the wetland, a 20-foot addition would not trigger any regulations,but would be located 20 feet from the wetland,which is one of the issues that should be considered. Leskinen asked if that could be addressed in the building code or the building setback. Gaffron indicated that is one option. � Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:52 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:52 p.m. Gaffron stated he is recommending the Planning Commission discuss it further and then table the applicafion to the May 2 City Council meeting. Leskinen commented the work session was very productive. Landgraver stated in his view it is prudent to have a setback from the buffer and that the question comes down to how much control the City should give up to the MCWD. Leskinen asked if a meeting is scheduled already with the Watershed District. Gaffron indicated he does not have a meeting scheduled at this time but that it is likely he will meet with representatives from the Watershed District prior to May 1. Leskinen moved,Landgraver seconded,to table Application#13-3601,City of Orono,Wetland Ordinance Amendment,Zoning Code Sections 78-1601 through 78-1614,to the May 20 Planning Commission meeting. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Page 14 of 26