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. Schoenzeit noted the envelope is five feet if approved as is and that they should expect it to be used in different ways unless it is specified that it cannot be. Thiesse moved,Schwingler seconded,to recommend approval of Application#12-3575,Scott and Melissa Musgjerd,4156 Highwood Road,as proposed,granting of a lot area variance,a lot width variance,side yard and side-street setback variances,and a hardcover variance in the 75-250 foot zone,with the understanding that there will be a setback of 10 feet on the eastern side of the property and allowing the deck on the west side a5-foot encroachment,subject to complying with the City Engineer's recommendations and per Staffs recommendation that total hardcover not exceed 25 percent of the entire lot. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. 5. #12-3576 JOHN AND SHERRY GORMAN,3585 FREDERICK STREET,VARIANCE, 7:27 P.M.- 7:58 P.M. John and Sherry Gorman,Applicants, were present. Curtis stated the applicants are requesting a hardcover variance to allow the construction of a 3-stall garage and front porch additions to the home. The proposed additions will be completely within the 75- 250 foot hardcover zone. With concurrent proposed driveway hardcover removals,the 75-250 foot zone hardcover will decrease from 48.2 percent to 46.9 percent. Structural coverage is proposed to increase from 10 percent to 14.7 percent. The existing home was constructed in 1964 and has been remodeled a number of times over the past 50 years. The applicants are requesting a hardcover variance in order to convert the existing garage space into living space and construct a new, attached approximate 26' by 24' 3-stall garage with living space above. Because the property currently has 48.2 percent hardcover, which exceeds the allowed level within the 75-250 foot zone, and because the proposal will not achieve the allowed level of 25 percent, a hardcover variance is required. In addition,the applicants are proposing to reduce hardcover in part by removing the loop portion of the driveway. However,the proposed hardcover levels still far exceed the code allowed 25 percent or 3,601 square feet. As the Planning Commission is aware,the City is about to adopt new hardcover regulations, which would classify this property as a Tier 1 lot and would afford this property 25 percent of the entire lot area or 5,296 square feet. At 6,756 square feet,the applicants' proposal exceeds this level by 1,460 square feet. Sherry Gorman, applicant, stated they purchased the property in December of 2008 and one of their concerns is lack of storage. Being that it is a lake home and there is a pool in the back yard, they have a two-car garage but they have more than two vehicles and a lot of boating equipment in addition to the pool equipment. The original intent of the project was just to add the three-car garage but it has blossomed into more than that because it became clear that some adjustments would need to be made on the home as far as the roofline. Gorman indicated they are willing to make the investment into their home to make those adjustments. They are adding some new lines basically to the front of the house, which will improve the street appeal for the neighbors and the resale of the home. Curtis displayed a picture of the existing home and a picture of the proposed home with a three-car garage. Page 11