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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 18,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> that,the matter could be tabled. Currently Staff does not know the house location or design that will be <br /> constructed;that is not something that is known at the time of a plat frame. Staff has an idea and the <br /> applicant has provided schematics of what they are envisioning and marketing the property for, but <br /> ultimately it will be designed by the end-user, which is not abnormal for Orono. Staff can say definitively <br /> that waivers and variances from the setbacks have not been asked for.The properties themselves provide <br /> adequate space for a home of the character Staff would expect. He can say with confidence that the home <br /> would be consistent with the zoning district standards for each lot. Staff tries to manage construction <br /> traffic and construction activity during a project like this. It is somewhat hampered because there is about <br /> a 50-foot space that this property touches Orono Orchard Road and they know where the traffic will come <br /> from, but they will manage traffic as best they can internal to the site with the exception, perhaps,of when <br /> they are pouring the asphalt for the road. He restated that if the Planning Commission would like to see <br /> the final stormwater management plan,the final landscaping plan,and septic reports,they do not need to <br /> act on the application.The applicant is expecting the Commission to do so and the expectation is it would <br /> carry forward to the City Council,but the Commission has the right and ability to wait for that <br /> information if they so desire. <br /> Bollis said that when he looks at the plan, it is very consistent with the sketch plan. He noted there is one <br /> less lot and felt that would impact the neighborhood less. He would like to see the triangle on Lot 1 be <br /> turned into an outlot so Lot 1 can be conforming,because he thinks it is important when the ability is <br /> there,which he feels is the case. He agreed with Staff that the other issues are typically approved in these <br /> types of developments, where it is a technical piece on where the property line is measured from,which <br /> happens all the time on pie-shaped lots. In general,it looks very good and he would be voting for this. <br /> McCutcheon said he generally agrees with Bollis. After looking at the contours,he felt it might be a good <br /> idea to look at the septic report,because it is pretty flat and swampy.Looking at the contours,there is raw <br /> acreage and buildable, and the numbers are pretty close together. He asked if the area is relatively flat, <br /> because as he drove by,the trees blocked a lot of the view and he did not go into it. <br /> Barnhart stated it is a unique property and it gets that way by having the undulation. The outside of the <br /> property is dominated by wetland,and that establishes the low area. The middle of the property rises up <br /> and the current house is situated on top of the hill, and that is where one building site will be.As the road <br /> slopes up to meet the existing home is where the other homes will be.The property undulates and <br /> provides some character,and part of the benefit of doing by-design homes for each of the lots is you don't <br /> lose the character by masquerading and creating housepads. He thinks the applicant is striving to fit a <br /> home that fits with each given lot rather than make the lot fit with a proposed home. <br /> McCutcheon said you can tell by looking at the plat that a lot of care and thought has been put into it. He <br /> is glad the number of houses was reduced by one. Without looking at each individual lot and the septic <br /> tank and drain field, it is hard to understand.As Barnhart said,the Planning Commission has to go <br /> forward assuming everything will be approved; if it doesn't for whatever reason,it could be re-evaluated. <br /> Libby stated,while listening to the Lowes' comments,he can be sensitive from both sides of the fence <br /> because historically and currently he is involved in land development and new construction building but <br /> has also been an ombudsman for his neighborhood,where the intensity of new construction both as in-fill <br /> and development has almost been deafening. He suggested to the Lowes that they develop as much <br /> dialogue/conversation with the developer as they can because it is a very constructive way to keep <br /> themselves informed about the progress.He looks at what came back to the Planning Commission, and he <br /> is pleased at not seeing so much crowding and not seeing what developers often do, which is to squeeze <br /> Page 20 of 29 <br />