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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 22, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 18 (7. #14-3682 JAMES AND MARGARET KELLY, 1855 CONCORDIA STREET – AFTER-THE- FACT CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – RESOLUTION NO. 6449, Continued) Curtis indicated the Code does not dictate types of plants but that in the past the City has had a landscape architect review landscape plans. McMillan stated the City’s buffer is not the traditional DNR buffer. McMillan asked if hostas could be planted as a buffer under City code. Curtis stated the City does not have a code regulating vegetation in the buffer area. McMillan asked if the property owners are provided with any type of guidelines for the type of vegetation that should be planted in a buffer area. Curtis indicated Staff requested the applicants provide a landscape plan, which the Planning Commission reviewed. Curtis stated the Planning Commission did not provide much comment on the types of plants that were proposed to be planted but that Staff could review the list of plants and guide the applicants to perhaps look at the list of plants suggested by the DNR. McMillan asked if the Watershed District would be able to provide any assistance in that regard. Mack stated the Watershed District does have suggested guidelines or sample planting lists that are germane to certain sites. McMillan asked if Exhibit B is the list of plants for the buffer. Curtis indicated it is. Levang stated to her knowledge, given the plants being proposed, they would not have a lot of root mass. McMillan commented it is more like a perennial garden than a shoreline buffer. McMillan stated it is not something that can be resolved tonight but that perhaps Staff should take a closer look at it. Martini stated when Staff typically reviews these types of applications they look at it from the standpoint of erosion potential. Martini stated depending on the conditions and the concerns, some suggestions are provided for the type of plants that should be considered. Martini stated on this property the buffer area is flatter and has less erosion potential. Martini indicated Staff would be looking for a more natural looking shoreline that would provide some filtration to help the water quality. McMillan stated a number of the listed plants are more plants that would be placed around someone’s house and are not native plants. McMillan stated she would like to see more traditional, native plants in future applications. Bremer stated in her view the City Council should be careful about recommending specific type of plants for a particular lot because there are a number of lots that have similar types of plants near the shoreline. McMillan stated if the City is interested in having a natural looking shoreline, they should be more specific on the types of plants that should be planted along the shoreline. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 10/13/2014 Approval of Council Minutes 09/22/14 [Page 8 of 18]