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. Leskinen asked if the existing garage will remain. Curtis indicated it will not. Levang asked whether the alleyway would be considered a public roadway. Curtis stated she does not consider it a public roadway. Levang asked what the alleyway is intended for. Gaffron indicated its primary purpose is for drainage. The alley was platted approximately 100 years ago and exists now as a dedicated public right-of-way. If the alleyway is ever vacated by the City, each property owner on either side of it would get half of it. Levang asked if the City would like to keep it as is. Curtis stated they would since it provides access to the lake. Gaffron stated to his knowledge this alleyway has not been maintained by the city. Curtis noted there are some erosion concerns that the applicant has raised,which have been passed along to the City Engineer. If the applicants are willing to participate in a correction of that area, the City would be willing to work with them but that it is not a project the City is proposing to do at this time. Gaffron stated the City's Comprehensive Plan lists the alleyway as Highwood Road Extension and it is a 20-foot platted alleyway down to the shoreline. Melissa Musgjerd, Applicant, stated they have looked at a number of properties throughout the City and eventually found this property. The property has a good view of the lake and grassy area. They have three children and they would like to enjoy the entire piece of property. Musgjerd indicated she is an interior designer and has worked with numerous properties and that there is potential for this lot. Musgjerd indicated they have met a lot of the neighbors already and that they would like to construct a home that fits into the neighborhood and would increase their values as well. Musgjerd indicated she does have a couple of pictures of the alleyway. The alleyway basically is full of trees at this time. Musgjerd indicated they did ask the City if they could eventually purchase it but were told they cannot. There is runoff that is causing some erosion to the beach on this property and they would like to work with the City to correct that situation at some point in the future. Sharratt noted the Musgjerds'purchase agreement is contingent upon the City's approval of their application. Sharratt stated the area depicted in yellow on the survey is the only buildable area on the lot. The existing garage is located on the street property line. The existing home is only two and a half feet from the east property line. Sharratt stated when they began this process, they set out to try to cure every possible nonconformity that they could. The 6.2 feet is an alternative that was discussed with Surveyor Mark Gronberg. The site plan says a 10-foot side yard setback on the east side but the proposed plan shows the house as being 10 feet Page 6 _.