06-21-1999 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,June 21, 1999 III (#2) #2492 RICK AND GAIL LUZAICH, 2490 OLD BEACH ROAD,AFTER-THE-FACT VARIANCE AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT—(cont.) will be preserved insofar as practical and reasonable in order to retard surface runoff and soil erosion, and to utilize excess nutrients. Clearcutting will be prohibited. In areas of soil or wave action erosion, natural stone rip-rap shoreline protection will be encouraged. In addition, retention of natural vegetation will limit the impact of urbanization as visible from the lake. Building heights will be limited to less than the typical tree height. Minimum green belts will be provided with prohibitions against clearcutting or excessive thinning of vegetation. Natural vegetation will be preserved on slopes. Retaining walls will be discouraged except when absolutely necessary to prevent erosion, in which case they will be screened with natural vegetation. Gaffron suggested the Planning Commission has the option of denying this application, and sending it on to Council, noting that the revised landscape plan does not meet the restoration goals of the City; or this matter could be tabled to allow the Applicant time to submit a revised plan in accordance with the City forester's recommendations. Reznick commented that the Applicant's revised plan was submitted in May but that the City's forester was not provided with the necessary information until this past Friday. The Applicant's landscape architect was not able to meet with the City's forester due to the short time period before tonight's meeting. Reznick stated that the four inch diameter trees are too large to bring in to be planted, and that the Applicant should not be penalized by having to plan trees in excess of$48,100. Stoddard remarked that the Applicant is not being requested to plant trees in excess of$48.100, II noting that the forester states that it would be unreasonable to expect restoration costs to exceed that amount. Reznick stated in his opinion the value of the trees removed should not have a bearing on what is being proposed for restoration and is irrelevant. Nygard stated that the number of the trees cut down is completely relevant, noting that it is against City's regulations regarding clearcutting of property. Reznick stated the issue before the Planning Commission is what to do with the property now and that the Applicant should not be requested to plant more trees than what was removed. Reznick commented that a majority of the trees to be replanted are located within the site line from the house to the lake and that the property owner does have a right to trim the trees located within the sight line. Reznick stated that the trees removed were removed to provide a view to the lake. Luzaich commented that their revised plan is a compromise by providing reforestation as well as providing a view of the lake. Luzaich stated that the amount of trees recommended by the City's forester to be planted are excessive and that the trees will need to be trimmed to provide a view of the lake. Luzaich remarked that he would also like to plant vegetation along the slope rather than let weeds grow. Smith stated that the forester is recommending natural vegetation on the slope and that some reconciliation of the two plans needs to be accomplished. Mueller stated that the revised plan was submitted shortly after the last Planning Commission meeting and attempts were made to follow the directions of the Planning Commission as far as replanting of the trees, noting that the trees and shrubs that were selected are intended to blend in • and look like they belong along the lakeshore,which was one of the objectives that the Planning Commission had stated at the last meeting. 4