03-16-1998 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 16, 1998 • (#10)#2348 Mary Jane Hauser- Continued) Hauser said his intent is to utilize the lot in the best manner. Hauser said the neighboring homes exceed the allowable hardcover. Hauser felt he was not asking for anything special noting he could meet the hardcover allowance by placing the driveway in the treed area but reiterated the problems it would cause in that location. Hauser said the design has gone through much review. His time line is problematic, and he would like the Commission to make their recommendation at the meeting in order for him to move forward with his financing. Mabusth indicated that hardcover was the only issue and noted that the house was ideally located on the lot. Hauser asked the Commission to consider the additional burdens existing on the property. Berg suggested that an option was to eliminate the circular driveway. Mabusth asked if consideration has been given to removing a portion of the loop. Bressler said eliminating the loop driveway would reduce the hardcover within 1%of meeting the 25%allowed but had been informed by the applicant that this was not an option he would 4111 consider. Bressler said staff then looked at the footprint for possible reductions in hardcover. The plan for a straight driveway through the treed area would result in hardcover of 27%. A driveway alternate was noted on eases 10 and 11 of booklet presented by Malkerson, which eliminates the loop of the driveway reducing the driveway by 1000 s.£ at a 12'width. Hauser indicated this would place the driveway into the higher elevations. It would result in difficulty in backing out and require retaining walls and 2000 cubic yards of fill. Smith inquired about the proposed separate structure on the property. The structure is a proposed 2-car garage in addition to the 3-car attached garage. The original plan was for a 4-car attached garage but was eliminated due to hardcover. In noting the applicant's strong feelings regarding each element of the application and not wanting to redesign the plan any further, Stoddard asked what could be done to reduce the hardcover. Hauser said he has tried to do so and considers the straight driveway as a last resort. He feels the property conditions with the grades and fill constitute hardship to allow the hardcover variance for use of the existing driveway. Bressler proposed a change to the garage structure location and size to meet the hardcover. The separate structure would be increased in size and the attached garage reduced in size. It was noted that this increase would result in the structure becoming an oversized accessory structure. • 22