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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Landgraver stated the City does not have a lot of requests for buffer setbacks and that he is not sure <br /> whether Orono should go back to a lower number. <br /> Barnhart stated Orono's stance on protecting the water quality does not just impact the wetlands but it <br /> also includes the lake yard,the lake,the wetlands, and all of those things that come into consideration. <br /> The main impact of the regulation will be for people who would like to do improvements that do not <br /> trigger a full wetland delineation by the Watershed District. This ordinance would give them 13 feet of <br /> their yard back where improvements can be done, which will benefit the smaller lots more. Barnhart <br /> stated the Planning Commission will need to decide whether 13 feet is appropriate. <br /> Landgraver commented the desk review is a way to serve the citizens better. <br /> Gaffron stated from a practical standpoint, when there is no formal delineation, Staff does not know <br /> where the edge of the wetland is and that they are unsure where to start measuring that setback. Gaffron <br /> stated that then becomes a functional issue in trying to implement an ordinance. <br /> Lemke stated he likes the delineation improvement and that he would prefer to leave the buffer and <br /> setback as is. <br /> Leskinen noted she has received emails and letters from people encouraging her to vote in favor of <br /> Option 1. Leskinen stated the City does not receive very many variance requests to the buffer and that <br /> one of the main goals of the City is to protect the water quality. <br /> Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 10:49 p.m. <br /> Justin Kinve, 950 Willow View Drive, stated his neighborhood is greatly impacted by the wetlands and <br /> that the draft amendment goes a long way to address a lot of concerns. Kinve indicated he would be <br /> against Option 2 and be more in favor of Option 3. <br /> Kinve stated when a neighborhood like his is platted and built,the Watershed District comes in and they <br /> do the determinations on the wetlands. The Willow View neighborhood was given wetland buffers, <br /> which the City has on file. Kinve indicated he is not looking to change any of that. <br /> Kinve noted four years ago he ran into major problems attempting to place a small structure in his back <br /> yard. One of the issues was that Willow Road was widened, which resulted in more flooding and high <br /> water levels in the neighborhood. Kinve stated if he had a delineation done now, he likely would lose <br /> more use of his property. Kinve stated since there is already that buffer, he is not sure going back another <br /> 10 feet would do anything for people. Kinve stated he would also not be in favor of the house being right <br /> up to the buffer setback but that patios, fire pits,or sports courts could be closer to the wetland since there <br /> is already that buffer. <br /> Kinve stated in general the draft ordinance is a major step forward. Kinve stated his neighborhood has <br /> had a ton of problems relating to the wetland issues,and the lack of hearing about it might not necessarily <br /> mean it is not an issue simply because people have given up. Kinve stated people have had to spend <br /> thousands of dollars obtaining a delineation and six of his neighbors have expressed concerns about the <br /> additional setback. Kinve stated protecting the water quality is great and the buffers do that. Kinve stated <br /> in his view other structures could be constructed closer to the buffer, especially since the Watershed <br /> District allows structures right up against the buffer. <br /> Page 39 of 48 <br />