09/15/2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,September 15,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. 7. Development of this lot potentially could obstruct lake views of the adjacent owner. 8. Factors that demonstrate the inconsistency of this proposal with the character of the surrounding neighborhood include: a. The property at 0.22 acres is one-fifth the average size of developed residential lots within the immediate neighborhood. b. The proposed lakeshore setback at 75 feet is significantly less than the setback of developed lakeshore lots within the immediate neighborhood,which range from 85 feet to 165 feet and average 112 feet. c. The proposed street setback of 25.4 feet where a 35-foot setback is required places the structure closer to the street than any other home on Orchard Beach Place. d. Removal of nearly all vegetation in a swatch approximately 65 feet by 80 feet potentially will alter the visual character of the neighborhood: 9. Grading of the site to accommodate the proposed house and redirect the natural runoff pattern will result in significant impacts to existing protected trees in the 0-75 foot lakeshore protected zone. 10. Development on this small lot will be in conflict with any number of the goals and policies contained within the 2000-2030 Orono Community Management Plan. Gaffron stated based on a variety of factors, Staff believes that development of this property with a single- family residence would have negative impacts on the character of the neighborhood,would have negative environmental impacts, and would not be in keeping with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. As a result, Staff recommends denial of all the variances and conditional use permit and variance for grading/excavation/fill within the 0-75 foot zone. Leskinen asked if anything has changed from last year. Page 38 of 59