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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Tuesday,February 21,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Landgraver moved, Schoenzeit seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 17-3896,City <br /> of Orono,Text Amendment: Structural Coverage,with the changes that were discussed by the <br /> Planning Commission. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> 11. #17-3897 CITY OF ORONO,TEXT AMENDMENT: SPECIAL EVENTS,9:44 P.M.— <br /> 9:58 P.M. <br /> Barnhart stated special event issue was the highest priority item identified by the Planning Commission <br /> and City Council last fall. The City is attempting to develop an ordinance that balances flexibility with <br /> residents using their property in a more intense manner occasionally versus those that do it more <br /> frequently to the detriment of the neighborhood. The City would also like to avoid people needing to get <br /> a permit or obtain permission to hold a special birthday party or other similar event. <br /> Staff has attempted to draft an ordinance that would accomplish those goals. As part of the ordinance, <br /> definitions of private event and special event have been modified from what existed previously, Staff tried <br /> to establish a process for how frequently private or special events would be allowed in the community, <br /> and an avenue has been created to allow someone to obtain a permit in the event one is needed. <br /> Exceptions include funeral processions, a government agency acting within the scope of its functions, and <br /> an occasional party that does not require special service from a city department. <br /> Barnhart noted the following language was added to the exceptions: "A property hosting four or more <br /> private events per calendar year shall obtain a permit as required in Section 66-221." Under this <br /> language, a residential property may hold three private events per calendar year without the need for a <br /> permit. The fourth event would require a permit. <br /> Special event regulations are intended to allow flexibility for certain events that are important to <br /> community health while managing the impact they may have on the neighborhood. The regulations <br /> generally associated with special and private event impacts include traffic, noise, and parking. <br /> From October, 2015,to December, 2016,the City issued 89 special event permits covering races, home <br /> tours, and live music. Barnhart stated the City had quite a bit of special event permits issued throughout <br /> the year,with those permits typically being reviewed by the police chief and city clerk prior to approval. <br /> Barnhart stated it was Staff's intent to allow those to continue but that one of the objectives was to place a <br /> limit on the number of private events due to the impact on the residential neighborhoods. <br /> Barnhart stated the Planning Commission should be aware that there is an important distinction between <br /> private event and special event. A special event is typically open to the public and a private event is the <br /> use of someone's private home. <br /> Lemke asked why funeral processions are exempt. <br /> Barnhart stated they often use public streets, require police escorts,and generally are not planned that far <br /> in advance to obtain City Council approval. <br /> Landgraver stated he appreciates the effort of Staff to look at these text amendments and that this <br /> ordinance will provide more tools for enforcement. Landgraver stated the City cannot anticipate every <br /> situation but that in his view this is close to the target. <br /> Page 30 of 32 <br />