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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 17,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 1. Expand the house footprint over the approved window well on the interior side of the home; <br /> expanding the structure and volume within this setback. <br /> 2. Creating a new bump-out within the side street yard setback outside of the approved house <br /> footprint; expanding the structure and volume within this setback. <br /> These alterations of the building plans are significant enough to warrant additional public. <br /> The new home will eliminate the approved window wells and will bring the home 9.5 feet from Prospect <br /> Street when 8.5 feet is approved. The applicant is also showing the chimney bump-out at 6.5 feet on the <br /> interior side yard. This was not shown on the approved survey but was included as part of the approved <br /> house plans. <br /> Depending on the roofline,roof overhang or small areas for drainage,water may be able to be mitigated <br /> with a gutter system. The applicant must ensure the roof and surface runoff are not directed toward the <br /> neighboring property <br /> Staff finds there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area, lot width,and proposed setbacks. Due to <br /> the size of the lot located within the two-acre RR-1B zoning district. The lot is also unique in that it has <br /> street which is abutting three sides of the lot. <br /> Public comments were made at the January 16,2018, Planning Commission meeting in favor of the <br /> proposed project. A major concern that came up from the neighborhood was the proposed height of the <br /> building and for it to remain a one-story home as to not overshadow the street,which will help the home <br /> maintain the character of the neighborhood. This was a discussion by the City Council as well. The new <br /> redesigned home is a one-story home with no windows above the first floor. <br /> If the Planning Commission has sufficient findings for the requests, Staff would recommend approval of <br /> the requested variances. <br /> Oakden displayed an aerial photograph of the area and pointed out the location of the existing house. <br /> The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br /> Jeff Martineau, Developer, stated he has been shepherding this property since the first application and that <br /> the owner of the property and the original applicant have not changed. Martineau indicated he has been <br /> working with the purchasers to help them design a plan that would work with the City and their <br /> requirements. <br /> Since then a builder has reviewed the plans and is recommending some changes. One of the changes was <br /> to make the setback variance 9.5 feet on the back of the house. By straightening the wall of the house out, <br /> it substantially shrunk the window well area and created a better use of the area between the properties. <br /> The party that is building the house will be guttering that side of the house and will do whatever is <br /> necessary to carry the water away from there. <br /> Martineau stated in his view these are small changes that truly make sense and do not change the <br /> structural coverage or hardcover. <br /> Page 6 of 22 <br />