05-11-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 11, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 5. ##15-3711 CITY OF ORONO — AMEND CHAPTER 86 TO MODIFY SURVEY REQUIREMENTS FOR SITE PLAN AND LAND ALTERATION PERMITS — ORDINANCE NO. 146 (continued) Staff has suggested the criteria in No. 4 as a response to the Council's direction. This language allows the City Engineer to exempt the site plan or survey requirement prepared by a licensed professional if there is an existing survey on file, if the project is smaller than 200 square feet, and if the project location exceeds the minimum setback requirement. This exemption would be available to properties which are outside the Shoreland Overlay and Stormwater Quality Districts and which exceed two acres in acre so that hardcover and structural coverage limitations would not be a factor. Staff recommends approval of the draft ordinance. The City Council should review and discuss the proposed amendments. McMillan asked what the Stormwater Quality Overlay District is. Curtis indicated that is the City's hardcover zone. McMillan asked if that dovetails with the Shoreland Overlay District. Curtis stated that extends beyond the Shoreland Overlay District because it includes the RPUD as well as the industrial district. Printup stated he likes the fact that this ordinance is getting away from requiring a professional surveyor on smaller projects to make it have a less financial impact. Printup stated what they are talking about here and what he would like to see happen might be a conversation for another day, but that he would like to build in more flexibility for the lots under two acres. Curtis stated adding in more flexibility would require additional discussion to determine what the Council's tolerance is for detailed surveys or what type of information the Council would be looking for. Curtis noted with a small lot, there tends to be more impact to the neighbors, and the margin of error, such as an encroachment, would have a bigger impact. Printup stated in his view the Council should have that conversation. Printup stated someone approached him the other day about what it would take to construct a 10' x 10' patio and that he did not have the answer. Council Member Walsh stated in his view this ordinance is a good place to start. Walsh stated the Council should also know how many properties in Orono are less than two acres. As it relates to the existing as -built survey, Walsh stated he would like to add language to the effect of, "or a plat that shows the improvements that are on the property" since that would give the City pretty much the same thing. Walsh stated he would also like to get rid of No. 4 and simply say, if it meets all these other items, which would eliminate the acreage issue. Walsh stated he also is not sure if 200 square feet is the right number and that he does not know how that number was arrived at. Walsh stated he would like to look at a higher number to give some flexibility for the smaller projects. Page 6 of 25