09-11-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, August 21, 2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Staff provided a practical difficulty analysis within the Staff report. Tonight the applicant should be asked to discuss the practical difficulties supporting their variance request. Staff's analysis found that the applicant failed to satisfy all of the practical difficulties necessary to grant the variance, which is also necessary in order to approve the subdivision. The City has historically not created substandard lots without a rezoning or PRD process. Staff did speak with one neighbor who was not in support of the variance and/or subdivision of the property. This neighbor further stated their concern was the lack of regulation preventing the type of construction the applicant has identified on 940 North Arm Drive. A comment letter from another neighbor was received today and has been distributed to the Planning Commission. Curtis noted the home on 940 North Arm Drive was constructed in accordance with the minimum building code standards. The City does not and may not have a prohibition on any of the different home or construction types which meet the building code. Staff suggests the City Council may want to explore the regulations which govern construction types or minimum construction standards relating to minimum size and/or width of homes. Specifically if the placement of mobile homes on properties within the City is a concern. The Planning Commission should consider one of the following motions: 1. Approval of the lot area variance in order to create a new substandard buildable lot and approval of the Class III subdivision to create a total of two buildable lots where one lot currently exists. If the Planning Commission finds variance approval appropriate, the applicant should be directed regarding the waiver of the conservation design requirements. 2. The alternative motion to be considered by the Planning Commission tonight is denial of the variance; thereby denying the subdivision request. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff.