11-27-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 16, 2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. handle the width of the road, and after meeting with all the neighbors, who expressed opposition to a 50 - foot wide road, they decided to propose a 16 -foot road width. Dunkley indicated they did meet with the fire department to discuss access to Walters Port and Pence Lane and as a result of the proposed improvements, access would be majorly improved. Currently Walters Port is a private road and Pence is a private driveway. Dunkley indicated they met between 15 and 20 times with the City and it never occurred to her when they closed on the property in August that there was not something that could be done. Dunkley stated the lot with their house on it would have three more acres added to it, bringing it up to 3.56 acres, and in order to do the improvements, they were going to sell a 140 -foot wide, one -acre lot. Dunkley stated they bought 4.02 acres and that their hope is that there is a way to make this work so they can have two beautiful homes. Altogether there is 320 feet of lakeshore. Dunkley noted they did offer to the Huelers a portion of the property at the price they purchased it for, which did not work out. As a result, the circular piece was moved closer to their current house in order to provide more privacy for the Huelers. Dunkley stated the Huelers have to travel approximately 600 feet over their land. Dunkley stated she is hopeful that with the four plus acres they now own, they will somehow be able to have two beautiful homes. Dunkley stated her husband injured his arm and hip in an accident in 1981 and that they would really like the drivable access to the lakeshore. Dunkley stated they would like to move forward with their applications and go before the City Council on Monday. Paul Vogstrom, Builder, stated they did look at a number of options with the lot and how to provide access to it which meet the code requirements of the City. Vogstrom stated in his opinion this is a perfect example of where a variance is needed due to the setting. Part of the process was to try and create a safe driveway as well as to provide adequate emergency vehicle access. As a result, two access points were created, one for Walters Port and the existing one for Pence, which will only be for emergency vehicle access. Vogstrom noted they did present this as a sketch plan last month. What changed from the sketch plan is that there used to be a turnaround more in the middle of the lot. Vogstrom indicated they are also trying to minimize the hardcover by removing the portion of Walters Port that goes into the Dunkley's home currently and instead have the circular area in front of the existing home. Vogstrom stated they are trying to maintain everyone's privacy between the lots as well as along the roadway. Vogstrom noted he also met with the fire chief and that they have incorporated two areas where cars can pass one another. Sue Dunkley stated there are two places to pass around another vehicle and that they would like to make the area more landscaped and better taken care of. Dunkley indicated they are willing to plant lots of trees. Vogstrom pointed out the two fire hydrants on the property. Vogstrom commented this property illustrates a perfect situation for a variance and that they are trying to meet the requirements for access by improving safety and allowing Walters Port to also have access. Page 5 of 32