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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 16,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> The Commission should discuss whether the rear yard setback encourages development out of character <br /> with the neighborhood and verify whether a height variance is required. <br /> Oakden noted one comment was received last this afternoon,which has been provided to the Planning <br /> Commission this evening. <br /> Oakden displayed the house plans and photographs taken from the street and an aerial photograph of the <br /> area,noting the proposed home is depicted in purple and the red depicts the setbacks per the Zoning <br /> Code. <br /> Staff recommends approval of the requested variances. <br /> Libby asked where the neighbor at 285 Crestview Avenue is located in relation to this property. <br /> Oakden indicated that neighbor is on the left side of the residence and her house is located four feet from <br /> the property. Technically that makes her house nonconforming in that setback. Oakden noted this <br /> application does meet the 10-yard setback. <br /> Jim Cleary, Applicant,pointed out there is another run-down shed on the property that will be torn down. <br /> In addition,the concrete slabs will be removed to improve the hardcover on the property. The home <br /> proposed for the lot is similar to a house that was built at 2775 Ethel Avenue. Cleary stated in his view <br /> the house fits well on a 50-foot wide lot,and because the lot drops about five feet,the lookout does not <br /> require any retaining walls. <br /> Lemke asked if there are any plans to landscape the area between this house and the property at 285 <br /> Crestview. <br /> Cleary indicated they will put some landscaping on both sides of the house as well as some near the front <br /> entry. Cleary pointed out the neighbor does have a 6-foot high fence in that area and that the only way <br /> she can see this lot is if she stands on the toilet in her bathroom. <br /> Libby asked if the landscaping will be adequate for privacy issues. <br /> Cleary stated in his view it will be. Cleary noted the other neighbor has a big deck on the back,which is <br /> in line with the deck that will be on this house. <br /> Ressler stated the e-mail they received from the neighbor talks about the side setback. Ressler asked <br /> whether the current driveway will remain. <br /> Cleary indicated it will be converted to grass and that the new garage will be a front-loading garage. <br /> Ressler commented that should help improve the situation. Ressler asked how much further they will be <br /> going into the rear yard setback from what currently exists. <br /> Cleary indicated there is a bump-out on that side and that they will be over by approximately two feet. <br /> Oakden stated from the existing corner it is approximately 20 feet. The new house will be slightly closer <br /> to the property line but there will be a bigger side yard because the driveway in that area will be removed. <br /> Page 3 of 13 <br />