02-16-2021 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, February 16, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. McCutcheon said since it is a rural zoned area, they are always tentative, but as long as the zoning remains and will not be extended - his worry is that the 2040 Comp Plan becomes "oh, we have septic here, we could chop up these lots and have a house every 1/3 acre." That is his worry, but they are not doing that and as the City has the current plan of green space and keeping it rural, it is up for the community to maintain that. He noted the City already owns the land, there is a need as the City is growing and the infrastructure has to grow as well, so in that case he is supportive. Ressler appreciates those comments and thinks the City and Staff have done a nice job of explaining that they are not setting themselves up for any precedent because this is for City use not residential. Kirchner moved, Gettman seconded, to approve LA21-000006 City of Orono, 365 Old Crystal Bay Road North, Comprehensive Plan Amendment — Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) expansion as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. S. LA21-000007 PILLAR HOMES, 3220 NAVARRE LANE, VARIANCES (STAFF: MELANIE CURTIS) K.C. Chermak of Pillar Homes, Applicant, was present. Staff presented a summary packet of information. Curtis noted the home on this property is currently undergoing a renovation with a partial second story addition. There is a small conforming location on the property and that is where the addition has gone; as part of the project, the Applicant would like to extend their existing rooftop deck area. Currently they have a deck and the diagonal line on screen is the setback from the rear of the lot, they would like to expand the rooftop deck to allow for additional space. It is proposed to be a black aluminum metal railing. Due to the location of the home, rear and side street setback variances are requested. The home is located on a substandard lot and is situated almost entirely within all of the required yard setbacks. The new railing will be set in from the edge of the home slightly: 6 feet 8 inches from the edge of the Navarre Lane side of the building, 6 feet from the west building edge and 1 foot off the north side of the building. They are trying to maximize their outdoor living space, and massing impact to adjacent properties will likely be minimal as it is an open metal railing. The signed neighbor acknowledgement forms were received but no public comments have been submitted. Curtis spoke with a neighbor on the phone today that had questions and upon clarification she made no comment on the application. The lot's size, lack of outdoor living space, and the existing structure size seem to support the requested variances of the practical difficulties on the lot. Staff is recommending approval of the setback variances to allow the railing to be installed within the setback areas. Ressler clarified they are not adding footprint, this is merely an extension of the existing structure and they are still staying a little over 6 feet from the edge of the existing structure on two sides. Curtis said that is correct and this portion of the building where they are within one foot of the edge of the building, they are conforming to an extent until they get over to the side. K.C. Chermak with Pillar Homes approached the podium and noted this is quite a project and he does not know if anyone has driven by the home. In the Staff report it is noted that the building has been here since 1940 and has been quite an eyesore; he said it has been a wonderful challenge to improve this site. He noted they could not believe how much fun they have had. Turning the building into a residence is pretty exciting; however, due to the unique situation here, they did ask the adjacent neighbors and both have signed and understand the improvements that are taking place. In their words, they are grateful that Page 9 of 38