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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 30 (7. #13-3644 CITY OF ORONO – ZONING CODE AMENDMENT – MINIMUM DWELLING SIZE STANDARDS – ORDINANCE TABLED, Continued) McMillan commented there is a movement nationwide toward smaller buildings and that in her view this would apply more to homes that are not resided in year-round.. Gaffron noted Big Island has had a standard in place since 1983 and that this draft ordinance would not apply since it already has an existing standard. McMillan asked whether there is a minimum building size on Big Island. Gaffron indicated it is 20 by 20 square feet or 400 square feet. Printup stated he reads this as saying shame on you for wanting to construct a small house and that he is not sure whether the City needs to regulate that. Bremer stated she prefers the Big Island standard rather than this standard. Bremer indicated her concern is the 1,000 square foot standard and that she would not be opposed to 75 percent of this number or 75 percent of that number. Bremer stated she does not want to create a standard that then prompts a bunch of tall homes. Bremer noted she lived in a house that was much smaller than 1,000 square feet and that she finds it amazing that that size house would not be allowed in Orono. The house consisted of three bedrooms and a bath with a single attached garage. Bremer commented there are lots of homes with 800 square feet that families live in currently in Orono and that she is not sure of the type of message the Council would be sending. Bremer stated she does not have an issue with setting a minimum standard but that she does not believe any other standards are needed other than 20 by 20 and perhaps 500 square feet. Bremer stated she understands the rationale for doing this and that she was surprised the City did not already regulate it. Bremer indicated she is okay with setting a standard but that she is not okay with the 1,000 square feet livable area. Bremer stated she understands 12 feet wide seems skinny but that the City has seen circumstances where there are really long, skinny lots. Bremer noted there are lots that are less than 40 feet wide and should be buildable. Bremer stated to her recollection the City has approved something that was less than 20 feet wide. McMillan asked what the difference is between the definition for a seasonal dwelling versus a principal dwelling in the RS District. Gaffron indicated a principal dwelling would require water and sewer and would require a conditional use permit to use it as a year-round residence. A seasonal dwelling or guest cabin limited to 400 feet do not have to have sewer or water systems and can be simply a shell. McMillan asked whether the standard should simply be a minimum of 800 square feet for a principal dwelling or whether the width of the home is important. McMillan noted the Planning Commission discussed architecturally different buildings that do not necessarily conform to the standards and that they could apply for a variance in that situation.