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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Lemke noted Item No. 3 says that short-term rentals may be permitted at the owner's principal place of <br /> residence only. Lemke noted one person at the workshop mentioned she had another property a few <br /> doors away and that she does not live there. Lemke stated she also indicated that if she cannot rent it <br /> would be a financial hardship. <br /> Barnhart stated there was another gentleman who raised the same concern as well regarding a cabin on <br /> Big Island. Barnhart stated he understands their point but that the City needs to be careful to make sure <br /> the neighborhood retains that residential character. Barnhart stated he looks at it as a situation similar to a <br /> home occupation and that the person needs to live there to have a home occupation. Barnhart stated in his <br /> opinion that was an important characteristic of this industry and that it needs to be their primary <br /> residence. <br /> Lemke stated he still has some concerns with that. Lemke noted the two off-street parking spaces do not <br /> apply to the cabin on Big Island. Lemke stated the third item he had some concern with was the <br /> requirement that the owner must be a natural person and not any type of corporation or partnership. <br /> Thiesse stated he would agree with that on the license. <br /> Schoenzeit stated dictating who can apply for a permit is way out of bounds and that in his view the City <br /> needs to accept that entity as the license applicant. Schoenzeit stated the reason why the property is <br /> owned by a corporation could be because of a tax structure. Schoenzeit stated in his view it is a slippery <br /> slope. <br /> Barnhart stated it could be as simple as changing the language to say,the licensee shall be. <br /> Thiesse noted Item No. 4 requires that the owner be available to respond to issues within 60 minutes to <br /> complaints. Thiesse stated no one at the workshop said they couldn't be there within 30 minutes and that <br /> 60 minutes is a long time to wait if someone is experiencing problems. <br /> Schoenzeit commented the City should be just as responsive to residents' concerns. <br /> Page 3 of 8 <br />