10/21/2013 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,October 21, 2013 6:30 o'clock p.m. Lemke noted this is not a final plan and that the Planning Commission is attempting to determine which direction to go. Schoenzeit stated the Planning Commission could recommend certain things they would like to see happen with the development. Landgraver stated he thought more neighbors would express concern regarding the density. From a development standpoint, it is more advantageous to have the homes closer together. Landgraver stated given the concerns of the neighbor to the west,perhaps the City Council should look at moving the house on Lot 1 forward. Landgraver indicated he is in favor of the PRD and Option 1 with accommodations for the neighbor to the west as well as an easement around the pond. Thiesse asked if the path could be located within the buffer. Gaffron indicated that question would need to be directed to the Watershed District. Lot 4 will have a house that is tight up against setbacks in the front and the sides and right up against the setback to the wetland, which will not leave much room to the rear for a path unless it is located within the buffer. Gaffron recommended the developer explore that with the Watershed District. Landgraver noted Staff brought up the point about a rain garden under Option 1 but Option 2 does not appear to contain a rain garden. Gaffron stated the rain gardens are depicted in both options. Landgraver moved,Thiesse seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 13-3631, Landsource,LLC, as a PRD under Option 1,with the recommendation that there be a community path allowing access for all six lot owners under an easement, and with the development being subject to accommodations being made to Lot 1 as it relates to driveway location and house placement to minimize the impact to the neighbor to the west. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 6. 13-3634 STONEWOOD,LLC,ON BEHALF OF JAMES O'ROURKE,3227 CASCO CIRCLE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE,8:10 p.m.—8:15 P.M. James O'Rouke,Applicant,was present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit in order to construct new lake yard retaining walls and lake access stair in conjunction with an in-kind rebuild of the boat house structure and new home construction on the property. No variances are required for the residence. Curtis stated as part of the redevelopment,the applicant is proposing to rebuild the existing boathouse. The boathouse is an existing legal nonconforming structure. As part of its in kind replacement,the applicant is proposing to eliminate the open space and retaining wall which created an unsafe void behind the boathouse. New retaining walls and lake access stairs are proposed,which retaining walls and access stairs. The plan as shown within the 75-foot setback requires a conditional use permit and hardcover variance. In place of the walls and the hardcover removals,the applicant is proposing to fill in the void Page 17 of 42