Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Thiesse stated it was always his understanding there was a 25-foot buffer and the additional 10 feet was <br /> considered a setback. Thiesse stated by going to what is being proposed,the City will need to be more <br /> diligent about keeping people out of the buffer. <br /> Barnhart stated what is being proposed, starting on Line 115, is changing the distance from 35 to 22. <br /> Barnhart indicated there would still be the buffer established by the Watershed District and then adding <br /> ten feet of setback. Currently the minimum setback to any building, principal or accessory, is 35 feet and <br /> the draft ordinance reduces that to 22 feet where no formal buffer is required. Where a formal buffer <br /> exists or is required, it would be 22 feet or established buffer width plus ten feet,whichever is greater. <br /> Barnhart stated the effect of the chart on Line 115 is to show the changes from 35 feet to 22 feet. <br /> Olson asked if the net loss would be 13 feet. <br /> Barnhart indicated the net difference would be 13 feet in both circumstances. <br /> Schwingler asked why he decided on 13 feet. <br /> Barnhart stated the minimum buffer established by the Watershed District is 12.5 feet. Barnhart indicated <br /> he took that 12.5 feet, plus a 1-foot setback, and arrived at 22.5 feet, which was then rounded down to 22 <br /> feet. Barnhart stated it is important to note that wetland buffer averaging would require approval by the <br /> Watershed District and would likely require a formal wetland delineation, so it would not be applicable <br /> for a small shed in the back yard. <br /> Landgraver stated to his recollection the City had one variance application to the buffer in the past year <br /> and that it does not happen very frequently. <br /> Barnhart stated if the Planning Commission does not feel there is an issue, it can be left at 35 feet and that <br /> the biggest impact would be related to the wetland delineations. <br /> Landgraver asked what situations would be exist where the City would impose a former buffer. <br /> Landgraver stated his understanding was the MCWD imposed all the buffers. <br /> Barnhart stated they do, but that there might be a situation where a property owner constructed a home in <br /> 2005 and at that time there was a buffer of 65 feet required. Then in 2017 the property owner would like <br /> to construct a shed in their back yard. The City would add ten feet to that buffer from a setback <br /> standpoint. <br /> Landgraver asked if there is a situation where the City has imposed a formal buffer. <br /> Barnhart stated he does not want to say the City has not done that but that he is not aware of any. <br /> Landgraver asked if there is any type of quantitative feedback on the current buffer the City has. <br /> Barnhart stated there probably is a way to equate lake quality and lake frontage and then compare it to <br /> other communities but that he does not have that information at the present time. <br /> Page 38 of 48 <br />