Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, July 16, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />The Commission should discuss whether the rear yard setback encourages development out of character <br />with the neighborhood and verify whether a height variance is required. <br />Oakden noted one comment was received last this afternoon, which has been provided to the Planning <br />Commission this evening. <br />Oakden displayed the house plans and photographs taken from the street and an aerial photograph of the <br />area, noting the proposed home is depicted in purple and the red depicts the setbacks per the Zoning <br />Code. <br />Staff recommends approval of the requested variances. <br />Libby asked where the neighbor at 285 Crestview Avenue is located in relation to this property. <br />Oakden indicated that neighbor is on the left side of the residence and her house is located four feet from <br />the property. Technically that makes her house nonconforming in that setback. Oakden noted this <br />application does meet the 10 -yard setback. <br />Jim Cleary, Applicant, pointed out there is another run-down shed on the property that will be torn down. <br />In addition, the concrete slabs will be removed to improve the hardcover on the property. The home <br />proposed for the lot is similar to a house that was built at 2775 Ethel Avenue. Cleary stated in his view <br />the house fits well on a 50 -foot wide lot, and because the lot drops about five feet, the lookout does not <br />require any retaining walls. <br />Lemke asked if there are any plans to landscape the area between this house and the property at 285 <br />Crestview. <br />Cleary indicated they will put some landscaping on both sides of the house as well as some near the front <br />entry. Cleary pointed out the neighbor does have a 6 -foot high fence in that area and that the only way <br />she can see this lot is if she stands on the toilet in her bathroom. <br />Libby asked if the landscaping will be adequate for privacy issues. <br />Cleary stated in his view it will be. Cleary noted the other neighbor has a big deck on the back, which is <br />in line with the deck that will be on this house. <br />Ressler stated the e-mail they received from the neighbor talks about the side setback. Ressler asked <br />whether the current driveway will remain. <br />Cleary indicated it will be converted to grass and that the new garage will be a front -loading garage. <br />Ressler commented that should help improve the situation. Ressler asked how much further they will be <br />going into the rear yard setback from what currently exists. <br />Cleary indicated there is a bump -out on that side and that they will be over by approximately two feet. <br />Oakden stated from the existing corner it is approximately 20 feet. The new house will be slightly closer <br />to the property line but there will be a bigger side yard because the driveway in that area will be removed. <br />Page 3of13 <br />