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) McMillan stated this is what Staff feels comfortable with on the bigger lots. McMillan stated a smaller lot may have a big impact to their neighbors and a small lakeshore lot may have a big impact with hardcover. McMillan stated the ordinance was drafted based on Staffs experience in administering these site plans and survey requirements, and from that point of view, it is well thought out. Walsh stated he is not looking for Staff's thoughts and that he is looking for Staff to administer what the Council directs them to do. McMillan stated the Council asked Staff to see if they can figure out ways that the requirements for small projects can be loosened up. McMillan stated Staffs recommendation was for lots that are two acres or greater. Walsh asked how many properties in Orono are two acres or less. Walsh stated he would like to know how many residents are being excluded. Gaffron stated he does not have that answer tonight but that Staff can determine that number. McMillan noted Staff administers these regulations and that they feel more comfortable with the bigger lots since there will be less impact. McMillan stated Staff has a concern with loosening the standards on smaller lots given the potential for those lots to have a greater impact. McMillan stated the Council can discuss the impacts on the smaller lots later and that this is what is being presented tonight. Walsh stated in his view that is not what the Council asked for. Walsh stated he also is not worried about what Staff likes or does not like but that he is looking to solve the problem for the smaller lots. McMillan stated the Council will not be able to solve this tonight and that she would like to move forward with this ordinance. Levang moved, Cornick seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 146, Third Series, an Ordinance Amending and Adding New Language to Chapter 86, Sections 86-66 and 86-68, Orono City Code Regarding Landscape Permits and Survey Requirements. Printup stated he is okay with approving this but that he would encourage the Council to discuss the smaller lots in the near future. Printup stated the potential impact to the neighbor needs to be considered, and that in his mind a small project is a 10' x 10' patio. Printup stated to other people that might be a big deck and that it is subjective to each person and each lot. Printup stated that is a conversation he would like to have. McMillan suggested he include that on his list of goals that the Council will be discussing in a couple of weeks. Council Member Cornick stated he is comfortable with going ahead with the two acres but that in his view the impacts on smaller lots needs to be studied further. Page 8 of 25