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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 16,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff finds some of the proposed grading appears to be an attempt to achieve positive drainage away from <br /> the house. However, the grading on the lake side slope area seems to be an attempt to create a larger <br /> outdoor patio living area and better view from the walk-out area of the house. According to the City's <br /> Comprehensive Plan and City Code Shoreland Zoning regulations, grading should be limited within the <br /> 75-foot setback area to only that which is minimal and necessary, and any changes or modifications to the <br /> lakeshore which result in a significant change in vegetation,topography, etc., are to be discouraged. <br /> Staff would suggest the applicant redesign the grading plan to reduce the amounts and the impacts of the <br /> grading. An administrative permit for grading will not be issued until the grading within the 0-75 foot <br /> area is resolved and approved by the City. Staff would also suggest that the applicant consider <br /> redesigning the lake access stair to either meet the minimum 4-foot width requirement or meander the <br /> stairs to increase the opportunities to screen the stairs with plantings. <br /> Staff met with the applicant this morning and discussed the revised plans and the challenges with regard <br /> to stormwater on the property. The applicant's revised plan appears to address the majority of the City <br /> Engineer's concerns. However, those changes have not been fully reviewed by the City Engineer. The <br /> issues regarding changes to the shoreline still need to be addressed. <br /> Curtis stated an onsite meeting with City Staff and the applicant's engineer will be scheduled to review <br /> the issues the applicant is identifying regarding the stormwater on the property and to discuss their <br /> erosion concerns on the adjacent City right-of-way. <br /> Based on the revised plans,a permit will be issued for the driveway work and the retaining wall near the <br /> house to correct the grading prior to the winter snow. However,the grading within the 0-75 foot area <br /> must be resolved satisfactorily prior to the grading permit and the conditional use permit being approved <br /> by the City. <br /> Staff recommends tabling the application tonight and the Planning Commission should provide guidance <br /> to the applicant regarding the grading within the 0-75 foot setback and screening of the stairs. If the <br /> applicant is not amenable to tabling the application, Staff would recommend denial of the conditional use <br /> permit and variance as proposed. <br /> Thiesse asked if the beech wood tree was removed in the 0-75 foot setback. <br /> Landgraver noted only the stump remains. <br /> Lin Yan indicated the roots of the tree were damaged in the last storm and that they had obtained a permit <br /> to remove it. <br /> Landgraver asked if there is any hardcover increase related to the driveway. <br /> Curtis indicated there is and that the new hardcover being proposed for the 0-75 and outside of that zone <br /> is 1,360 plus square feet for a total of 19 percent. <br /> Landgraver asked if the slope would fall within the definition of a bluff. <br /> Dutra stated it would not be considered a bluff since it is only 15 feet above the lake. <br /> Page 3 of 34 <br />