05-17-1999 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 17, 1999 • ROLL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Chair Elizabeth Hawn, Commissioners William Stoddard, Dale Lindquist, amd Janice Berg. Commissioner Sandra Smith was absent. The following represented City Staff: Assistant Zoning Administrator Paul Weinberger, Senior Planning Coordinator Mike Gaffron, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Charles Kelley was present. Chair Hawn called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. OLD BUSINESS (#1) #2469 STEVEN AND JO WEBSTER, 500 ORONO ORCHARD ROAD SOUTH -VARIANCES Steven and Jo Webster were present. Weinberger stated the Applicants appeared before the Planning Commission at their April meeting where they were directed to revise their plan to create a greater setback for the proposed garage and residential addition from Dickenson Street and the alley. The Applicants have submitted a revised plan which places the proposed garage five feet off the property line and seventeen feet from Dickenson Street. The existing house is located 19.1 feet from the side property line. Weinberger noted that the only other user of this alley is the property to the south. The City currently owns and maintains this alley. Variances to the side yard adjacent to the street is required to permit a setback of five feet where • fifty feet is required; to permit a 17 foot side yard setback where 50 feet is required; and to permit a 36.8 foot front yard setback where 50 feet is required. The Zoning Code requires a 30 foot setback for garages with access served towards a street. City Staff has determined that this revised plan is more in conformance with existing codes and that it is impossible to place an addition on the residence except for one small section of the property without encroaching into a setback. Weinberger stated the existing garage located on the property line will be removed. Webster commented that the little room that is located between the house and the garage will be incorporated into the house to allow for an extra five feet. Webster stated they are putting the house at an angle on the lot to try to take advantage of the southern exposure. Lindquist stated he does not have a problem with the application, noting that this plan is a real improvement over the previous plan. Hawn remarked that she appreciates the efforts the Applicants have made to revise their plans. Stoddard inquired how the potential land deal is proceeding. Webster stated that they have made an offer, and inquired whether the Planning Commission could recommend that this land be sold. Stoddard stated that the Planning Commission is not in a position to recommend that. Webster stated that if the Websters assumed the cost of the property line rearrangement, they probably would be in favor of that. Webster remarked that he has proposed to deed them up to 20 feet to incorporate into their own driveway if they so choose. • Hawn inquired when the existing garage would be removed. 1