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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 27, 2009 7:00 o’clock p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 4 (3. #08-3361 CITY OF ORONO, CODE AMENDMENT FOR HARDCOVER REGULATIONS, Continued) Franchot stated he does not have a problem with the primary property but questioned why the portion of the driveway serving the secondary property would not be credited to the secondary property. Gaffron indicated Staff will look at revising that language. Franchot asked what the objective of the City is for having hardcover standards. Gaffron indicated the hardcover limits are designed to help allow better absorption of water into the ground. The more hardcover on a lot, the less absorption there is. The City has primarily used the hardcover limits for that purpose. The hardcover limits also help manage the size and scale of projects as the properties redevelop. Franchot noted very little guidance is given in the ordinance as it relates to technological changes, such as pervious pavers. Franchot stated if the City does use the hardcover limits to limit the scope and size of redevelopment projects, in his opinion it would be better to require that more directly. Bremer stated the pervious pavers are very beautiful looking when first installed but that if they are not properly maintained, they become just like regular asphalt, which is why the City still counts them as hardcover. Mattick stated the initial goal of the ordinance was to codify the practices of the Staff. McMillan stated she attended a workshop on Saturday where they spoke about Orono’s natural research planning and that back in the 1970s there was a study done on phosphate and stormwater runoff in the area lakes. The City of Orono took that information into consideration when they developed their hardcover regulations, which were designed to help control the runoff into the lakes and improve the absorption. Franchot stated he understands how the regulations came about. Murphy noted he installed a patio last year constructed with three to four inch natural stones and that the water does get absorbed if they are properly installed. Murphy noted there is more to installing pervious pavers than just laying them on the ground and that they do need to be maintained. The City Council directed Staff to incorporate the discussed revisions to the draft ordinance. 4. #08-3378 MICHAEL AND JULIE WHITTINGTON, 1981 FAGERENESS POINT ROAD – VARIANCE Michael Whittington, Applicant, was present. Turner stated the applicants are proposing to construct a replacement resident and are requesting a hardcover variance to have 37.56 percent hardcover in the 75 to 250 foot zone when the Item #02 - CC Agenda - 05/11/09 Council Minutes 04/27/09 [Page 4 of 18]