09/17/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,September 17,2012 6:30 o'clock p.m. Cusack indicated they can see through the canopy. Curtis noted the City has no regulations to protect the view of the lake from an off lake property. Schoenzeit indicated he is in agreement with that. Schoenzeit stated if the setback was in question,that would be a different issue,but the sight line from a non lakeshore property is not protected. Thiesse stated by rotating the house, it provides a better view for the neighbor across the street since the area is now opened up more. Thiesse asked if the City is looking at doing some remediation at the bottom of the hill, whether that would be incorporated now or whether that would be something that would be addressed in the future. Thiesse noted a retaining wall may be required. Curtis stated the property owners should work with the City on that and that if a variance becomes necessary,they will need to come back. Curtis indicated she does not want to incorporate anything now without knowing what the solution to the problem will be. Thiesse stated he does not want the applicants to have to come back and request a variance for a small amount of hardcover. Curtis indicated that is something the City Council could address. Schoenzeit asked if the retaining walls would be counted as hardcover under the new ordinance. Curtis indicated they would be counted as hardcover. Landgraver commented he can envision in a heavy downpour that that area could turn into a pipeline down to the lake and that the retaining wall will help with the drainage. Landgraver indicated he is in agreement with the 10-foot setback. Schoenzeit stated the question comes down to whether they prefer the massing on the lake or on the side. Thiesse asked if there is anything stopping the property owners from dropping columns directly down if the deck is approved. Thiesse stated he would like the applicants to not cantilever off the house as proposed and to actually drop posts down. Curtis stated the Planning Commission can require that as part of the approval. Thiesse stated he would like to allow them to have vertical support underneath the deck. Leskinen asked if that could be converted into an enclosed structure at some point. Thiesse commented that would be true of almost any structure. Curtis stated if the Planning Commission is going to allow the cantilevered deck because it is cantilevered and it is not going to have structure below or a screen porch above,the Planning Commission could incorporate certain conditions into their motion and those will be contained in the resolution if the Council agrees with that recommendation. Page 10 _ __.