01-19-1999 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 19, 1999 • (#3) #2450 GLENN GRONBERG, 325 WILLOW DRIVE NORTH- Continued McMillan moved, Lindquist seconded a motion to approve Application#2450 for Glenn Gronberg,325 North Willow Drive,for a Preliminary Subdivision as modified and presented tonight subject to the staff's recommendations and with the development of a private road and cul-de-sac being based upon the issuance of a building permit for the new lot. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#5)#2445 ROBERT GEHRMAN, 4300 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH,VARIANCES, 9:05 p.m. -9:15 p.m. Weinberger presented the staff report. He stated that Mr. Gehrman has been issued a building permit to construct a 36'x 77'accessory structure on his property. The accessory structure is located more than 400' back from the road near an existing 20'x 60' accessory building. The maximum allowed accessory structure on a lot larger than 9 acres is 3,000 square feet. Both accessory structures meet this requirement. The applicant is proposing to connect both structures with a 10'x 10'walkway. By connecting the structures, both buildings would be considered one structure which would require a variance for an oversized accessory structure. The total combined square footage of the old and proposed structures would be 4,072 square feet. He reviewed the Zoning Code requirements regarding restrictive covenants that must be placed on the property. He said that the applicant has stated he intends to store antiques in the structure. The Zoning Code does not allow storage of inventory intended for retail purposes. He stated that staff is recommending approval of the application based upon the hardship being that the connection is going to connect two legal buildings and it is in keeping with the rural character of the neighborhood. • Robert Gehrman, the applicant,was present. There were no public comments. Stoddard asked what the Zoning Code allows for the maximum size building per acre and the total amount of accessory structure per acre. Weinberger stated that the maximum allowed for this lot would be 6,000 square feet for accessory structures. Stoddard asked the applicant if there are accessory structures located on the property. Gehrman stated the other structures consist of a 20'x 30'garage, a 12'x 16'shed, and a 20'x 20' shed, or approximately 5,200 square feet in total. Schroeder asked if the applicant intends to use the accessory structure for retail purposes. Gehrman said no. Schroeder moved, Lindquist seconded, a motion to approve Application#2445, Robert S. Gehrman,4300 Sixth Avenue North,for a variance to allow an oversized accessory structure on the property due to the nature of the lot and the combination of the two would still be under the maximum 6,00 square feet allowed for accessory structures. McMillan stated she is concerned about setting a precedent regarding oversized buildings. Lindquist stated he can approve the application because of the very rural setting. • Page 11