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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 9, 2015 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 24 of 43  <br />  <br />(11. #14-3700 CITY OF ORONO – AMEND ZONING CODE – AMEND SECTION 78-1379: <br />WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS (WECS) FIRST REVIEW, continued) <br /> <br />McMillan stated the issue with flicker depends on what the sun is doing and that she would be willing to <br />change the setback if it is on a bigger lot. McMillan stated on smaller lots there needs to be a fairly good <br />setback since they also generate noise in addition to flicker. McMillan stated there could also be an issue <br />with having a mechanical structure at eye level for the neighbor when they walk out on their deck. <br /> <br />Walsh stated on 2-acre lots, the person would still need to meet the setbacks and address the flicker. <br />Walsh noted there are companies that do flicker or shadow reports. <br /> <br />McMillan stated she would prefer to keep it simple and avoid requiring flicker reports. McMillan stated <br />if there becomes a demand for wind turbines, the standards could always be looked at again. <br /> <br />Printup indicated he does have a concern with possible flicker and that one possible solution would be <br />requiring the blades be painted with flat black paint. Printup stated the flickering can also change with <br />the seasons as well as the angle of the sun. Printup stated he is not sure where to stop with the idea of <br />flickering. <br /> <br />Walsh stated shadows from the wind turbines can also be an issue and that some cities prohibit the wind <br />turbines from casting shadows on neighboring properties. <br /> <br />Levang stated she would like to clean up 6(a) before the Council moves on. Levang indicated the <br />language says on lots at least ten acres in gross acre. Levang stated if gross area is allowed, the number <br />of the parcels that are yellow or cream colored that are depicted on the map would increase. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated there are probably more 10-acre properties than what is depicted on the map. <br /> <br />Levang stated in her view the 10-acre requirement is satisfactory and that she does not want to see a <br />reduction in the 10-acre requirement at this time. Levang noted the Council could look at possibly <br />reducing it in the future if there is a big demand for wind turbines. <br /> <br />Levang stated the City does have a lot of wetlands, which reduces the area that the wind turbine can be <br />located in. In addition, the person would need to meet the setbacks. Levang stated when you look at how <br />many homes in the city are clustered close together, it is because of wetlands. Levang stated her house <br />sits on 8.85 acres and that she can clearly see into her neighbor’s yard, who has 12 acres, as well as her <br />other neighbor’s house, who has 27 acres, and it is because the homes are clustered on the dry land. <br /> <br />McMillan stated wetlands are always bowl-shaped with no trees around. McMillan stated some of the <br />10-acre lots on Watertown are narrow. <br /> <br />Walsh stated someone is not allowed to build on a wetland. <br /> <br />McMillan stated wetlands create views and vistas and the ability to see long distances.