10-19-2020 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, September 21,2020 6:00 o'clock p.m. Staff presented a summary of packet information. Ms. Curtis noted due to a calculation error by the Surveyor,the property is currently 43 square feet over the 25% hardcover limit. Staff does not recommend approval of the variance; if the Commission finds Practical Difficulties support granting the variance to accommodate the turnaround requested, and the additional miscalculated hardcover, a recommendation for approval may be appropriate. Kirchner asked if the 10x10 back-up pad was pavers, is there some square footage given credit over and above that it wouldn't then count towards the hardcover. Ms. Curtis said it does not apply to driveways. The credit for pervious pavement applies to a walkable surface(patio, sidewalk), but nothing that is driven on. Mr. Mark Enger, homeowner, 2697 Casco Point Road, said as Ms. Curtis referenced,they are asking for a small turnaround so cars can exit a very busy—and getting busier—road(Casco Point Road). He noted this application is based on safety and all of the difficulties around it are tied to a safety element. He feels the opportunity to exit the property facing the roads reduces the safety risk to the owners and visitors, but also to the general public driving on Casco Point Road. Mr. Enger said Mrs. Enger's parents owned the property and they've been connected to it since the 1970's and noted the property had a different design and they didn't have problems exiting the property many years ago. He said the existing property, previous to the Enger's construction had a hardcover of 30.49%;the proposal with the correction Ms. Curtis referenced that the 100 square feet would bring the total hardcover to 25.7%. The driveway is very long, steep and winding that connects directly to Casco Point Road. Since the Engers have lived there, it seems to be getting busier with construction and service vehicles, and approximately 75%of homeowners are exiting the very long dead-end road. He noted parking is currently allowed on both side of Casco Point Road, which adds to the complexity and the impact on visibility. Mr. Enger said traffic coming from the North to the South creates a particular visibility issue and noted their neighbors to the South have a turnaround and their lot is a similar shape and size. He noted there have been several near-misses backing out onto the road because of the traffic. As Ms. Curtis referenced,they have received many letters of support from neighbors, and have heard from their mailman and service providers, many of whom who have perhaps experienced the effort of backing out on to Casco Point Road. Mr. Enger said when they designed the house,they were living in Oregon and quite frankly expected their designer to identify some of the challenges of the driveway and did not. He also noted they weren't expecting as much traffic as there has been on Casco Point Road, and said the fact that they're only asking for 100 square feet to solve a very present problem hopefully tells the Commission that they're not trying to gain the system. Mr. Enger said they are asking for approval of the variance application. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. Chair Ressler asked Ms. Curtis on the right-hand side of the sketch onscreen where some is shaded bituminous and some is clear but noted bituminous, he asked what the cutoff rendering is. Mr. Enger said they have an easement with the neighbor and is a shared entrance to both of their driveways and has been in place for many years. Page 14 of 27