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MINUTES OF THE • <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> February 9,2015 �^> <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. � <br /> O <br /> Walsh stated in his view there should be reasonable limits set that would cover 90 percent of the people � <br /> and that he does not want to penalize everyone and be overreaching. �.�'0 <br /> McMillan stated the minor projects should not require a permit but that as the projects become bigger and � <br /> more impactful,then more limits should be set. McMillan stated the question is what those thresholds <br /> should be,and that in her view it is not possible to have one size fit all. <br /> Walsh noted that currently someone cannot dramatically alter the land. Walsh asked if the threshold <br /> should be 0 to 10 cubic yards where someone would be allowed to do it,but then if there is a problem, <br /> Staff will need to figure out how to handle it. Walsh stated if someone stands on someone else's <br /> property,that person is technically trespassing, and that when he installs an electrical substation,he is <br /> required to have a minimal amount of clearance to work with that. <br /> Walsh stated he could see the situation where the City allows up to a foot of height to do a wall or a <br /> planter bed,but that there need to be at least two or three feet from the property line to allow someone to <br /> maintain that without going into someone else's yard. Walsh stated the City should set those types of <br /> standards. Walsh stated on the narrow lots,if a person is required to leave five feet untouched on each <br /> side,the lot becomes very narrow and that the person should have the right to use their property. Walsh <br /> stated he would like to see it narrowed down somehow to address the 80 to 90 percent of the population <br /> that follows the rules in order to give some leeway for the minor projects. <br /> McMillan stated the City wants to have reasonable rules and only require permits on the more impactful <br /> items. McMillan stated if the Council is comfortable in providing some thresholds,that would give Staff <br /> some idea on what would be allowed. McMillan stated currently 4-foot retaining walls are the threshold <br /> for engineering. <br /> Edwards stated that primarily relates to safety. <br /> McMillan asked if that applies to the tiered walls. <br /> Edwards stated currently the City considers multiple walls to be a single wall if the distance between the <br /> two walls is not greater than twice the height of the upper wall. Edwards stated if the walls are really <br /> close together and staggered,they would still be considered one wall as far as the engineer requirement is <br /> concerned. Staff is primarily concerned about the wall failing and slumping and causing damage. <br /> Walsh stated if someone has a 3-foot high deck,they are required to have railings,which relates to safety. <br /> Walsh stated once you start getting to two to three feet in height,you could impact someone's sightlines <br /> but that he does not want to prohibit someone from constructing a 1-foot high retaining wall or planter <br /> box. Walsh stated his recommendations would be at least two feet from the properly line and 12 inches <br /> high without the need for a permit. In addition,the person could go up to 20 cubic yards of dirt as long as <br /> it is not altering the slope and changing the runoff. <br /> Printup stated he likes the idea of a starting point in order to keep the process moving forward. Printup <br /> asked how long this process will take. Printup stated he has a concern given the people who might want <br /> to have some work done due to the high water issues experienced last year. <br /> Page 6 of 25 <br />