06-24-1985 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULl1R ORONO COUNCZL MEETING HELD JUNE 24 , 1985 . PAGE 10 ORDINANCE Mayor Butler explained that in the past the question of what CLARIFICATION to consider hardcover was clearly defined, but with today' s (CONT. ) innovative methods and proof that certain treatments work and the Council has decided that they will not be considered hardcover. Butler used the example of a variance application to aliow a deck 16" above the ground with a sand base. Butler noted that the Council did not consider this hardcover because the deck was placed on the ground and a permeable material underneath the deck. Butler noted that � on the other hand a deck constructed 4 ' above the ground is considered hardcover because of the potential for a future ownerto place plastic underneath the decking. Butler noted that it becomes a policing problem for staff . Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron reviewed the Purdy' s request to add a deck and addition to the home. Gaffron noted the existing hardcover is at 33� and the Purdy' s propose an equal tradeoff in existing hardcover for the proposed deck and addition. Councilmember Frahm stated that he is not sure that staff would want to place themselves in a position to be able to make tradeoffs in hardcover when the property is over the allowed. Frahm felt that an equal tradeoff is fine for staff to make the decision as long as the property is under the allowed hardcover, but anything over the allowed hardcover in any zone should come back to the Council regardless if the applicant proposes equal tradeoffs. Frahm noted that the key to bringing these applications to Council is the documentation which gives the City the opportunity to file a resolution in the chain of title placing a future owner on notice. City Administrator Bernhardson noted that a property that is already over the allowed hardcover and does not have a variance for it is technically in violation and it becomes important to document tradeoffs on any such property. John Purdy suggested that the City clarify the ordinance so that the homeowners will know exactly what is considered hardcover and in order to be able to apply it to his property. Purdy noted that his property has the least amount of hardcover and least damaging compared with his surrounding neighbors. Councilmember Grabek noted that the City has recently begun . different approaches to hardcover. Grabek felt that which way the hardcover runoff drains is of no concern to him because it eventually runs into the lake. Grabek felt that the way it drains should not be considered. Grabek stated that Council should identify what is hardcover and what is dangerous to the lakeshore. Grabek pointed out that the purpose of the hardcover ordinance is to maintain a certain level of hardcover within the City.