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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Tuesday, May 28, 2013 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />   Page 6 of 18   <br /> <br />(3. #13-3596 CITY OF ORONO – ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES – ZONING <br />ORDINANCE AMENDMENT, Continued) <br /> <br />Alternative energy systems include but are not necessarily limited to the following: <br /> <br />1. Solar energy systems: <br /> <br /> a. Building integrated (system replaces a building component, such as photovoltaic or hot water <br /> systems being part of the roof, skylight, or awning system) <br /> <br /> b. Flush-mounted (system mounted on top of roof) <br /> <br /> c. Ground mounted (system is in the yard) <br /> <br />2. Geothermal energy systems: <br /> <br /> a. Closed loop (system circulates heat transfer fluid within closed loops of pipe) <br /> <br /> b. Open loop (system transfers heat directly from groundwater, then discharges groundwater <br /> back into the ground). This type of system is generally not allowed. <br /> <br />3. Wind turbine systems: <br /> <br /> a. Horizontal axis (propeller) <br /> <br /> b. Vertical axis (egg beater) <br /> <br />4. Outdoor wood boilers. Also known as hydronic furnaces. Many cities do not allow these. <br /> <br />Staff is not aware of an outdoor wood boiler in existence at this time but there might have been one or <br />two in the past. Staff is aware of a significant number of solar energy and geothermal energy systems <br />existing within Orono. Most common are Items 1a, 1b, and 2a. Many cities have adopted standards for <br />use of these systems as accessory to residential uses. <br /> <br />The current draft list of accessory uses does not list “trash enclosures” as a permitted accessory use, but <br />they certainly would be customarily incidental to the residential use. Orono Code deals with residential <br />trash in two code sections. Other cities’ codes often contain a screening requirement. Fences used for <br />screening should meet City fence location and height requirements. Establishment of a separate structure <br />or screening fence far from the residential structure, such as at the street end of a very long driveway, has <br />the potential to become problematic from a security standpoint, from a health and sanitation standpoint, <br />and from an aesthetic standpoint. Gaffron requested the City Council discuss whether trash enclosures <br />would be allowed near the road. <br /> <br />Levang commented there could also be issues with raccoons and other creatures. <br /> <br />McMillan suggested the City Council go through the list of questions outlined in Staff’s report. <br />McMillan asked as it relates to Question No. 1 raised in Staff’s report, whether there should be different <br />definitions for private recreational sporting facilities and private recreational play facilities. <br />Item #03 - CC Agenda - 06/10/2013 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 05/28/2013 [Page 6 of 18]