05-21-2018 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,May 21,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. 3. LA18-000040 MATTHEW AND ANGELA HOPPING,95 SMITH AVENUE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT,6:35 P.M.—6:58 P.M.—Continued Curtis pointed out there is a hammerhead backup area provided for both driveways and that a turnaround is not required except for when accessing county roads or busier thoroughfares, which is when the City would require a turnaround. Thiesse stated he may have misspoke earlier and that the grade is going to be higher but not on the north end. Ressler noted what the Planning Commission is discussing is really the earth work. Landgraver moved,Ressler seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000040, Matthew and Angela Hopping,95 Smith Avenue,granting of a conditional use permit,with the seven recommendations of Staff. Landgraver encouraged the neighbors to attend the City Council meeting where the driveway will be discussed. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0. 4. LA18-000043 LDK HOMES, 1509 LONG LAKE BOULEVARD,VARIANCES, 6:58 P.M.—7:07 P.M. Katie Bergstrom,Applicant, and Scott Hockentire, LDK Homes, were present. Oakden stated the applicant is requesting a side yard variance,a rear yard variance, lot area and lot width variances in order to build a new home on the property. The applicant plans to demolish the existing home. The existing home is located within the 75-foot lake yard setback and within the 50-foot rear yard setback. The new home will be located 17.9 feet from the rear property line and 10.3 feet from the west property line. The lot is unique for the LR-1A zoning district in that the bend of the shoreline creates a curved 75-foot lake yard setback which overlaps the 50-foot rear yard setback,thus eliminating a conforming building envelope on the lot. As a result, lot area and lot width variances are required. A rear setback variance is also requested. The applicant is proposing to build a deck on the lake side of the property 63 feet from the ordinary high water level and will be within the proposed footprint of the home. No public comments have been received to date. Staff finds that there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area,width and setbacks. Staff has done a preliminary review of the height with the submitted documents. The proposed house looks to meet the 30-foot height requirements with the draft plans submitted. The applicant is not requesting any variances pertaining to height and the plans show they can meet this requirement. Also,the applicant is not proposing to add any stairs for lake access. In addition,the lot poses multiple challenges with steepness on the lot,the curved road, and the shoreline eliminating a building envelope. The Planning Commission should discuss the issues set forth in Staff report. Planning Staff recommends approval. Page 6 of 17