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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />Monday, August 13, 2012 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />(S. #10-3491 CITY OF ORONO - HARDCOVER REGULATIONS AMENDMENT, Continued) <br />Rahn stated the issue that was the most important to him personally with this process was to simplify the <br />regulations. Up until the section dealing with the tiers, Rahn stated in his view everything is fine, but that <br />once you get into the tiers, it becomes a complex system and borders on being somewhat arbitrary. Rahn <br />stated he is not in favor of the tiers and that he would rather go with the current zone system. Rahn stated <br />in his view it is going to be more difficult for Staff. Rahn noted the City currently has three zones based <br />on measurement and that now there are five tiers that are basically based on measurements and some of <br />those have zones within the tiers. <br />Rahn stated he basically was expecting one number, such as Lakeshore lots at 25 percent, which is the <br />DNR number, or some other number being assigned. Rahn stated the City Council has asked numerous <br />times to see something that compares it to the DNR method but that they have not seen that to his <br />recollection. Rahn reiterated that his desire with this process was to keep it simple. Instead of three <br />zones, now the City has five tiers and zones within tiers, which is not simple in his opinion. <br />Printup suggested the City Council find some items that everyone agrees on and that they can start with <br />those things and then look at the tier system later. Printup indicated his concern with the tier system is <br />overregulation. Printup questioned whether some of the smaller neighborhoods in Orono that are <br />basically situated in Navarre and Crystal Bay would be overregulated with going with one number. <br />Printup stated he does not want to see additional regulation on those small properties than what currently <br />exists. Printup noted the City has had these discussions for decades regarding hardcover regulations. <br />McMillan stated she has a concern with a property that goes beyond the 250 -foot line that would be <br />allowed 30 percent hardcover. <br />Bremer noted it went from being unregulated to the 30 percent. <br />McMillan stated if the 0-75 foot lot area is included in the hardcover calculations, she does not feel they <br />should go to 30 percent beyond the 250 -foot zone. McMillan commented it is already a big change to <br />include the 0-75 foot zone in the calculations, and that in her view the City should not go with 30 percent <br />beyond the 250 -foot line. <br />McMillan noted the City did not do any case studies on the 500 to 1000 foot lots and how they would <br />compare with the DNR's 25 percent and whether they would require additional variances. McMillan <br />stated it was her understanding Staff was going to take a look at what would occur if they went with one <br />number. <br />Gozola indicated he did not run that analysis and he does not believe Staff ran that analysis either. The <br />main concern with reducing it from 30 percent down to 25 percent is that there are some smaller lots in <br />those areas that would likely become legal nonconforming. <br />McMillan asked whether the City has any idea how many properties that would affect. <br />Gozola indicated he does not have those numbers. <br />Bremer stated she would like Staff to explain the data contained in the table. <br />Page 6 of 19 <br />