10-17-2016 Planning Commission Minutes

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 17,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. ordinance and Comprehensive Plan are maintained and preserved. Most of the other homes in the neighborhood are similar in size, with setbacks from Crestview a shorter distance than proposed by the applicant. Further, alternative locations for the expansion would require other variances, which may result in greater impact to adjacent properties or require an upward addition,which may have a greater massing impact on the neighborhood over what is proposed. Staff supports the front yard setback variance request as proposed. Barnhart noted without the vacation of Hill Street, additional variances for hardcover and structure would be required. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. Scott Hochstedler,Applicant, thanked the Planning Commission for consideration of their application. Hochstedler stated they have been working on this project for over a year and that the information before the Planning Commission has been the result of a lot of give and take on both sides. Hochstedler stated in their view careful consideration has been given to the issues. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. Thiesse asked whether the Planning Commission feels this meets the standards for a variance. Lemke stated in his view the addition works well, is within the parameters of the neighborhood with regards to setbacks, and would be an improvement to the house. Schoenzeit stated he agrees with Staff's report that this is the best location for an addition. Leskinen indicated she is in agreement with Staff's recommendation. Lemke moved, Schoenzeit seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 16-3869, Scott Hochstedler,290 Crestview Avenue, granting of a front yard setback variance. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 5. #16-3871 JACOB PIVEC ON BEHALF OF MIKE SETNICKER, 1175 WILLOWBROOK DRIVE,VARIANCE, 6:44 P.M.—6:50 P.M. Jacob Pivec,Applicant,was present. Curtis stated the applicant is proposing to construct a 1,400 detached garage on their property for storage. The garage is proposed to be set back 50 feet from the front lot line. The home is set back 82 feet. Because an accessory building must not be located closer to the street than the principal building, a variance is necessary. All other setbacks and zoning requirements are met. The property is approximately 5.5 acres in area. Given the size of the lot, a single oversized accessory structure with a maximum of 2,200 square feet is permitted. The applicants are proposing a 1,400 square foot garage. Curtis noted Staff's report inadvertently omitted the hardcover calculations for this property. The hardcover for the garage is proposed to be at 3.7 percent. Page 3 of 19