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, 17 <br /> ✓ <br /> MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION <br /> Wednesday, September 3, 2003 <br /> 5:30 p.m. <br /> ROLL <br /> The Commission met in a work session on the above mentioned date with the following members <br /> present: Chair Sandra Smith, Commissioners Liz Hawn, Cynthia Bremer, David Rahn, J. Mark <br /> Fritzler, and alternate Jan Berg, and late arrival alternate Jule Hannaford. Representing staff were <br /> Planning Director Mike Gaffron, and Planners Melanie Foth and Janice Waataja. <br /> Commissioners Jeanne Mabusth and Stephanie Zugschwert were absent. <br /> Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 5:44 p.m. <br /> (#1) SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING: ZONING CODE REVISIONS PROPOSED AS <br /> PART OF RECODIFICATION PROCESS <br /> Smith noted that this was the time and place for a public hearing regarding minor text revisions to <br /> the Zoning chapter that are being proposed as part of the recodification of the Orono Municipal <br /> Code. Gaffron noted that the revisions are minor in nature and primarily are `housekeeping <br /> measures. He briefly reviewed the various proposed language changes per City Clerk Lin Vee's <br /> memo of August 7, 2003. Gaffron noted that while the revisions generally do not change the <br /> meaning or impact of any elements of the Zoning Code, all zoning revisions by State Statute are <br /> subject to the public hearing process. <br /> Hawn questioned the reasons for and appropriateness of the substitution of the language "The <br /> parameters within which a variance maybe granted are as follows"for the current language"`Undue <br /> hardship' as used in connection with the granting of a variance means:". Gaffron noted that not all <br /> of the twelve statements following the current language reference `hardships', hence the current <br /> language is somewhat misleading. <br /> There were no comments from the public. <br /> Smith moved, Fritzler seconded, to recommend approval of the proposed Zoning Code text <br /> revisions as presented. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. <br /> (#2) BUILDING HEIGHT DEFINITIONS <br /> Gaffron introduced the topic of measuring building heights and whether the use of"half-story" <br /> should be continued as a tool for limiting building heights. He also reviewed the variety of <br /> definitions currently in use in regulating and measuring building heights. It was noted that in terms <br /> of addressing the related issue of building massing,perhaps the City should adopt a maximum ratio <br /> of building height to lot width, by limiting the height of structures allowed on narrower lots. <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br />