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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, July 16, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />ROLL CALL <br />The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br />Acting Chair Bruce Lemke, Commissioners Bob Erickson, Dennis Libby, Mark McCutcheon, Chad <br />Olson, Jon Ressler, and Alternate Jan Berg. Representing Staff were Community Development Director <br />Jeremy Barnhart, City Planners Melanie Curtis and Laura Oakden, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor <br />Dennis Walsh was present. <br />Acting Chair Lemke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br />NEW BUSINESS <br />1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF <br />JUNE 18, 2018 <br />Libby moved, Olson seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council meeting of <br />June 18, 2018, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0, Berg Abstained <br />2. LA18-000060 JAY MITTELSTAEDT, 1980 HERITAGE LANE, VARIANCE, 6:33 P.M. — <br />6:40 P.M. <br />Gregory Gruman, Applicant, was present. <br />Oakden stated the applicant is requesting a front yard setback variance and is proposing to remove an <br />existing detached accessory building located 19.6 feet from the front yard setback and replace it with a <br />larger garage that will be attached to the home and constructed to reduce the existing front yard setback, <br />which is currently at 2.6 feet. The front yard of this property abuts Heritage Drive and the home is <br />oriented towards the Dakota Trail. The home sits at the end of a cul-de-sac and there are no additional <br />houses beyond this property. <br />The applicant has stated the most practical location for the proposed structure is in the same location of <br />the detached shed. The house, driveway, site topography, wetlands, and the existing landscape make it <br />difficult to position the proposed structure in any other location. The applicant is also proposing to <br />increase the hardcover from 5.5 percent to 7.1 percent. Structural coverage does not pertain to this site. <br />Staff finds there are practical difficulties with the property to grant a front yard setback variance due to <br />the location of the wetland, topography of the lot, and orientation of the home. <br />One public comment was received over the weekend in support of the project and is before the Planning <br />Commission tonight. <br />Staff would support a motion recommending approval of the proposed variance. <br />Libby stated he would like to see the aerial photographs of the property. <br />Oakden displayed an aerial photograph of the property, noting there is some screening currently on the <br />property in the front. <br />Page 1 of 13 <br />