10-21-2019 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, October 21, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Thiesse stated they are proposing a 7' x 7' entrance, which is not large, and the size of the garage is not excessive. Erickson moved, Libby seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA19-000082, Alexander Design Group, 1973 Fagerness Point Road, variances. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5. LA19-000083 EVERLAST ENTERPRISES, INC., 315 CRESTVIEW AVENUE, VARIANCES, 8:12 P.M. 8:20 P.M. Jim Cleary, Everlast Enterprises, was present Oakden stated the applicant is requesting lot area, lot width, front, and rear setback variances. They are proposing to demolish the existing home and build a new single-family home. The new home is proposed at a similar front setback as the neighboring properties and will be centered on the lot. The lot abuts a vacant lot to the north. The proposed home will be a two-story home with a full basement. There is an existing two -car detached garage on the property that the applicant is proposing to keep. The property is nonconforming to size at 0.34 acres in the LR -IA, two -acre district. The applicant is requesting a 46.3 -foot rear yard setback for the deck where 50 feet is required and a 30.2 - foot front yard setback where 50 feet is required. Many of the homes in the neighborhood sit roughly 25 feet from the front yard setback. There is a front yard exception rule in this neighborhood, but due to the lot to the north being vacant, there is no average, and based on how the code is written, they require a variance from the 50 -foot setback. Staff finds there are inherent practical difficulties with the small lot on the LR-lA two -acre zone. The applicant has made an effort to meet the district standards for a new home and is requesting the front and rear yard setback, lot area and lot width variances. The Commission should discuss whether the front and rear yard setbacks encourages development out of character with the neighborhood. To date no public comments have been received. Planning Staff recommends approval of the requested variances. Gettman asked where the existing home is. Oakden pointed out the location of the existing home, noting that it is approximately 18 feet from the front yard setback. The applicants are proposing to now be 30 feet from the front yard setback. Gettman asked if the overall hardcover is increasing. Oakden indicated they are within Tier 3 and they are within their hardcover limits. Jim Cleary, Everlast Enterprises, noted they have constructed two other homes in this neighborhood and that they were very well received in the neighborhood. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 8:17 p.m. Page 13 of 20