04/21/2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,April 21,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. The applicant's property is approximately 0.38 acre in size where 0.5 acre is required. The property is also located along the channel between North Arm and Crystal Bay resulting in lakeshore on functionally two sides with a steep slope up to County Road 51 to the rear. The proposed home meets the 10-foot side setback as well as the 30-foot setback from the rear lot line. The majority of the property is located within the 0-75 foot zone. The applicant is proposing a plan which does not result in additional hardcover over what currently exists and is proposing to construct the new home in generally the same location as the existing home. The total proposed hardcover is below 25 percent. However, due to the shape of the lot,much of the proposed hardcover is within the 75-foot setback, which will require a variance. The existing home on the property does extend into the 75-foot lake area as well. Demolition of the home does not require a conditional use permit for the grading but minor grading within the 75-foot setback is proposed with the new home's construction. The City Engineer has reviewed the grading plan and did not identify any significant • concerns. By code, conditionally permitted uses must be reviewed using the criteria found in Section 78-916 and 78-1286 of the Shoreland regulations. With regard to this application, Items 2, 6, 7, 9 and 13 are generally applicable and Staffs analysis is included in Staffs report. Upon review, Staff believes the proposed grading within the 75-fot area is necessary and will have no impact on surrounding lands. Drainage patterns for runoff leaving the site are not proposed to be significantly altered. Additionally,the proposed grading within the 75-foot setback has been designed to minimize any environmental impacts. Staff finds the orientation of the property with respect to the county road,the private access road, and the lakeshore results in a practical difficulty for locating a conforming envelope for a reasonable sized home. The conforming building pad is approximately 45 feet deep and varies between 40 to 12 feet in width as the 75-foot setback cuts through at an angle. The applicant's proposed home is very similar in footprint size and shape to the existing home that is. being replaced. The plans for the new home reflect sensitivity regarding height and massing as the second story portion of the home is located away from the lake. The design and orientation should reduce the feel of massing with the 75-foot setback area,particularly along the channel. Planning Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit and variances. Lemke asked if they need a variance if they are replacing exactly in kind. Curtis indicated they do not but that the applicant's proposal is to construct the home beyond what currently exists. The new house will consist of the same square footage as the existing house. Landgraver asked if there will be a basement. Curtis indicated there will not be and that it will be a slab on grade construction. Al Hagen,Applicant, stated he would be willing to address any questions the Planning Commission may have. Hagen indicated they are proposing to relocate the new home ten feet from the property line and that they have pivoted the original footprint on the one corner of the garage. Hagen stated they are also staying away from the county access located in the back as well as the utility easement. The reason for relocating it slightly was to make it ten feet from the neighboring property rather than eight feet. Page 4 of 19