05-13-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE • ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,May 13,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. #13-3596 CITY OF ORONO,ZONING STUDY—ACCESSORY USES AND STR UCTURES, Continued) Bremer noted concrete could also be removed and then the structure is no longer permanent. Bremer stated she would prefer setbacks and the impact that the proposed use could have on the neighbors. Gaffron suggested the Council discuss setbacks and the use that the structure would be for and the activity that surrounds it. Bremer noted there is nothing that prevents someone from standing at their lot line. Bremer stated in her view the neighbor issues come from activities that are near the property line that are more permanent. McMillan stated another option would be to keep the setbacks free of accessory uses. Mattick commented it would be similar to the City's regulations regarding the 0-75 foot setback. Printup asked if that would cover wood piles to trampolines and flag poles. Printup commented the Council may appear to be unpatriotic if someone would like to put up a flag pole and the Council does not allow it. Bremer noted a number of people have wood piles alongside of their garage. McMillan stated that option would also allow you to protect side setbacks. Gaffron noted some of the items might not appear in the non-encroachment section. Gaffron noted if they appear in the non-encroachment section that means they are okay in a specific yard. Gaffron stated they could explore and possibly amend the non-encroachment section by removing certain things that should meet a setback. McMillan asked what would happen if someone wanted to install an air conditioning unit in the setback. Gaffron indicated that would be a non-encroachment. The City has addressed some of those items by requiring a 5-foot setback from the property line. McMillan asked if diesel generators are included. Mattick noted air-conditioning units are called out and that a diesel generator would be considered a stand-alone structure. Gaffron indicated Pages 35 sand 36 list all of the non-encroachments. Item 1 covers things that are attached to the house or parts of the house. Item two covers name plate signs and lights for illumination and will require a 5-foot separation from the front lot line. Item 3 covers terraces, steps, uncovered porches and stoops. The City typically does get people that want to construct some sort of platform. The code has allowed those as close as two feet to a lot line in any yard as long as they meet hardcover requirements. Staff has added window wells that do not extend more than five feet from the building. Gaffron indicated sidewalks, driveways and parking are things that you can have essentially in any yard. Page 12 of 26