06-12-2017 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,June 12,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 25. #17-3925 CITY OF ORONO,TEXT AMENDMENT: SMALL LOTS/SETBACKS— Continued Printup asked how someone would benefit under the proposed ordinance if they want an accessory structure, such as a garage or shed. Barnhart stated accessory structures have their own set of setbacks but in many cases they are the same as the principal structure unless it is a lake yard. Barnhart indicated Staff could take a look at those if that is the direction of the Council,but that the ordinance primarily looks at the principal structure setbacks. Walsh commented that might be an issue for the Code Review Commitment to look at. Walsh noted currently the side yard setback in the one-acre zone is 10 feet and that Staff is proposing it be reduced to eight feet. In the two-acre zone,the setback would be reduced to 10 feet. Barnhart stated currently the setback in the two-acre zone is either 30 or 50 feet. Barnhart noted the reduced setbacks would only apply to lots with nonconforming widths but not nonconforming sized lots. �, Walsh noted there would still be the same hardcover requirement. Walsh stated this would be another tool to give people a little more flexibility on a narrow lot. Walsh noted every variance has to go through the process,and if the number of variances is reduced,that will result in less work for Staff. Barnhart stated Staff can approve lot size and lot width variances administratively and that over the past few years changes to hardcover and structural coverage have been made, which also provides some flexibility. Randi Carlson, 1185 Arbor Street,stated she lives in an RR-1B zoning district,which has smaller lots,but when you look at this amendment as a whole, it has very little value. Carlson stated she can imagine most of the small lot neighborhoods would encounter the same problem as her neighborhood. Walsh noted this would apply to every lot in her neighborhood. Carlson stated since they are all nonconforming,they would all be eligible for this reduction in the side setback. Carlson noted in her neighborhood,when the house bumps out to the side,they will also need a front and rear setback. Carlson stated she is concerned about the precedent that is being set. Carlson questioned whether other nonconforming lots will want the same consideration. Walsh stated the ordinance would cover all nonconforming lots as it relates to width in any RR-1B zone throughout the City. Carlson commented she has a lot of issues with the changes and that it will impact the character of the neighborhood. Carlson stated in her view her neighborhood should be rezoned to one acre. Barnhart stated in a one acre zone,the minimum front width is 140 feet with a 10-foot setback. Under the new ordinance,the setback would be eight feet. The front and rear setbacks would remain at 35 feet. Carlson stated all the homes in her neighborhood would meet those setbacks. Carlson stated in her view rezoning it to one acre would solve more problems in her. Carlson commented the Council seems to be very concerned about having a concentration of homes,but the boundaries that she is talking about would Page 14 of 19