04-08-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, March 18, 2019 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Curtis suggested rather than trying to reconfigure the shape of the patio, it might be helpful for the applicants to suggest a level that the Planning Commission feels would allow a little bit more to accommodate the stairs. Lemke asked if the whole house could be pushed back eight feet. Curtis indicated the applicants would still be within the footprint and would be essentially what they are proposing. Curtis stated she does not believe from a construction standpoint that is what they are looking to do, and that the red line is the existing house and they are attempting to just add on to the street side and then going upward. Lemke commented he does not have a problem with the height increase but it is so far into the average lakeshore setback and the setback between the adjacent houses that he has trouble justifying a further encroachment. Thiesse stated he struggles with the fact that the patio seems too large, but he can see a practical difficulty with living on the lake and not having a space to sit on outside. Rauscher pointed out the existing staircase. Rauscher stated they could eliminate anything past the furthest point of the house, which would give them a 10’ x 20’ terrace. One of the goals is to not to break into the retaining wall and disturb the grade. The terrace will never be seen from the lake since it sits six feet higher and the lake drops even more. From a practical standpoint, a lower level patio is probably not going to get used as much and it will not be as practical for them. If that line is kept straight across, that would provide a decent size terrace and stay within the confines of what is currently there. Landgraver commented that sounds like a good compromise. Landgraver moved to recommend approval of Application No. LA19-000007, Tom Rauscher, 2799 Pheasant Road, granting of variances, with the reduction in the size of the deck as proposed by the applicant, and subject to the recommendations of Staff. Ressler stated it makes sense to allow the steps to be connected to the patio in lieu of the stepping stones. Lemke seconded the motion. Landgraver stated he does not want to over engineer the connection from the stairs to the patio but that he would accept that friendly amendment. Thiesse noted whether it is stepping stones or stairs, it would be considered hardcover. Landgraver amended his motion to recommend approval of Application No. LA19-000007, Tom Rauscher, 2799 Pheasant Road, granting of variances, with the reduction in the size of the deck as proposed by the applicant, to allow hardcover from the patio to the steps, and subject to the recommendations of Staff. Libby indicated he would support the friendly amendment.