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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 19,2012 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff does not find a practical difficulty supporting the requested increase in structural coverage or <br /> hardcover. Staff recommends approval of variances according to the following: <br /> 1. The applicants should redesign their plan to conform to either the current levels; <br /> 2. The applicants should redesign their plan to conform to the previously approved hardcover level; <br /> or <br /> 3. The Planning Commission should grant a hardcover variance at a level between Items 1 and 2 <br /> above as deemed appropriate. <br /> Staff recommends denial of the variance to increase structural coverage levels. Staff is supportive of a <br /> variance for reconstruction of the existing deck provided there is no net structural or hardcover gain. At a <br /> minimum 45 square feet of area should be taken out of the proposed deck. <br /> Thiesse asked if Staff is requesting approximately 50 square feet of hardcover be removed. <br /> Curtis indicated that is correct. Curtis stated in her earlier discussions with the applicant, it was her <br /> understanding that they would not be asking for an increase. <br /> Schoenzeit noted the property is 635 square feet over the limit. <br /> Curtis stated Staff feels the hardcover and structural coverage should be reduced down to the allowable <br /> limits. <br /> Curtis noted the applicants' neighbor did e-mail Staff last week and had some comments about the <br /> application. The neighbor did indicate he is supportive of the application as proposed. <br /> Dan Murphy, Contractor, stated part of their confusion was that there was a change in the way hardcover <br /> was being calculated from the time they started the project to the time the application was ready to go <br /> before the Planning Commission. One of the surveys does show a smaller deck but it is not depicted on <br /> the stamped surveyor's report. <br /> Murphy indicated the main objective of the project is to replace and reconfigure the deck at the same size. <br /> Murphy indicated they are not requesting any additional hardcover over what currently exists. <br /> Thiesse asked how the applicant is proposing to construct the deck. <br /> Murphy stated the existing deck is larger than what they are proposing to construct. Murphy indicated <br /> they went with the spiral staircase to keep the deck at the same size. <br /> Murphy stated in 1989,there was a drainage issue prior to the purchase of the property by the Baskfields <br /> and some retaining walls were constructed,which increased the hardcover on the property. There is now <br /> a buffer zone between the two properties to retain some bf the water. Murphy indicated they do not want <br /> to remove that because it will negatively impact the neighboring property and that they are agreeable to <br /> keeping the deck at the same size or reducing it by 45 square feet. <br /> Page 5 <br />