06-19-1995 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JUNE 19, 1995 • ( #5 - 92020 James Bruce - Continued) Lindquist asked of the utility easement. Mabusth asked for Planning Commission's opinion and noted that the Engineer did recommend an easement be granted for future sewer extension to east. The property is not within MUSA, and the Engineer said that this would be the time to gain the easement. A sewer line is located on Oxford Street. Cook had recommended the 15' easement along the north lot line. The applicant had no problem with this, except for the issue of trees. All agreed that this would be the time to gain the easement but had reservations as to the location and the impact on tree removal. Smith asked what the worst case scenario would be regarding the easement and tree removal. Mabusth said based on the elevations, the excavations would be deep, calling for wider easement areas. This would result in a major loss of trees if installed at north lot line. The Planning Commission recommended an easement and discussed its location. Nolan noted that an easement would normally be placed to the outskirts of the property line to eliminate interference with building pads. In this case, though, the easement could be in the middle where the drainage easement is located as no construction can occur at this location. Lindquist recommended the City Engineer review and determine the location for less impact on tree removal. The 15' minimum easement location determined by the • Engineer will be reviewed with the applicant. Rowlette would like to see the house located on the other side of the drainageway. Mabusth said the City lacks the control to stipulate the house location. The building pad location was determined by Bruce's judgment of the aesthetics. Bruce felt the customer would choose this particulate site for a home. Bruce also said the value of the lot would be restricted if he could not build on 50% of the lot. He again reiterated that he is sensitive to the trees on the lot. Nolan asked about restrictive covenants to save trees. Bruce replied that he had previously agreed at meeting with neighborhood not to cut trees from the setback area to the north and trees west of the proposed house. Rowlette asked why Bruce wanted to keep two existing driveways on Lot 3. Bruce said the driveway to the north would serve a tuckunder garage. What exists now is a driveway 9 -10' wide, and Bruce feels it is not causing any impact on the property. Bruce would like to leave options open as alternative ways to approach a building. The driveway between Lots 2 and 3 would also remain where the existing house is occupied. Construction vehicles would be using this driveway. The Planning Commissioners had no problem with this usage. There was no concern with church activities. If problems arose in the future, they would be addressed at that time.