11-14-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. McMillan noted she has not seen a landscaping plan and that this is a sensitive area. McMillan noted the wetland buffer should not be disturbed even though there is buckthorn in there. Walsh stated his recollection is that the residents were fine with leaving the buckthorn since it provides a lot of screening. Walsh stated from his perspective, the neighbors' desires outweigh the need to get rid of the buckthorn. Levang noted the revised plan preserves 14 more trees and that the developer has been sensitive to the desires of the residents. Council Member Printup stated he would caution against leaving the buckthorn in this development since the City would be opening itself up to having to allow buckthorn to remain on other properties. Levang noted this is an RPUD and the City is allowed some flexibility. John Stein, Charles Cudd Company, commented that there is currently a preserved buckthorn area in Creekside that was done years ago. Walsh stated when it comes to the issues of the residents, the Council needs to weigh which ones have more weight. Walsh noted visibility is a big concern for the residents. Printup stated he just wants the Council to be prepared to tell other people that they can leave the buckthorn. Printup stated in his mind the Council is sending a mixed message by allowing the buckthorn here to remain. Levang commented since this is an RPUD, the City has a leg to stand on. McMillan stated she is sensitive to the land clearing of this area since this lot was clear cut once in the past. McMillan stated it is best over time that the buckthorn is removed and other vegetation planted and that it will now be the homeowners who have to take that on. McMillan stated she does not want another round of extensive clear cutting given the impacts on the area. Printup stated it is setting the City up for other requests in the future. Rick Denman, Charles Cudd, stated they have done a lot to keep the neighbors happy and that they have taken steps to preserve as many trees as possible. Denman noted the neighbors are okay with leaving the buckthorn but that he will leave the issue up to the City Council. McMillan asked whether this is something that the homeowners association could address Iong-term. Denman stated it would be hard for Charles Cudd to monitor it over time, but if the Council is open to allowing the residents who move in here having an organized way to buffer the area, that could be an option. Printup stated the comment that the neighbors are okay with it implies that they do not care that it is in the code. Printup questioned whether the City should eliminate it from the code and leave it up to individual property owners. Printup stated he does not want to put a future Council in the position where this situation is brought up. Page 3 of 4