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MINUTES OF THE � ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 16,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. 7. #15-3759 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING VACATION RENTALS,8:22 P.M.—8:45 P.M. (continued) There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 8:36 p.m. Thiesse stated the list of items is fairly comprehensive. Leskinen commented she would like the opportunity to discuss each of the items and then determine how to proceed. Thiesse stated there are probably ways to get around each of them. Thiesse asked if the City would be able to revoke a license very quickly. Barnhart stated the City would not be creating a new procedure but simply adding a new license. Thiesse stated he also wants to protect the neighbor next door who might be finding out that nothing can be done about it. Schoenzeit stated if someone is causing a nuisance that should be dealt with that way. Schoenzeit noted a lot of the discussion has centered on it being a nuisance and that the City may have the code already in place to deal with something like this. Leskinen stated the one advantage to a business license is that the City becomes aware of a property that is being rented out and puts the homeowner on notice that there are certain responsibilities he needs to uphold. Leskinen stated some other cities have some very comprehensive and far-reaching rental policies that are far beyond what the City is looking at. Gaffron noted the City has a recreational/season district that has very limited accessibility. Gaffron stated the first time he heard about a vacation rental issue was probably five or six years ago with renting properties on Big Island. Gaffron stated the City has to think about what the impacts are of limited accessibility and the fact that it is a seasonal use with seasonal facilities. Gaffron stated those are properties that have a septic system that was intended for family type use on an occasional weekend and that there are lots of things that go along with Big Island that might not be found elsewhere in the City. Leskinen stated she would like to get some different feedback on different properties in Orono and then look at the issues very carefully so the City can avoid as many unintended consequences as possible. Landgraver commented he would like to get the perspective of some of the people who are renting their homes out for limited periods of time. Barnhart indicated he can send letters to the property owners he is aware of to see whether a more robust public hearing can occur. Schoenzeit moved,McGrann seconded,to table Application No. 15-3759,Text Amendment, vacation rentals. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0 Page 23 of 29 1