05-17-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,April 19,2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Kirchner noted they have seen these applications quite a bit and as Barnhart stated they have all been approved in the last 15 months.This would also help homeowners get projects done in a more timely manner rather than waiting for Planning Commission and Council approval. Ressler moved,Erickson seconded,to approve LA21-000027 Text Amendment related to plumbing in accessory buildings as proposed by Staff.VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. 6. LA21-000025 DUNKLEY—VOGSTROM,2709 WALTERS PORT ROAD,SKETCH PLAN Sue Dunkley and Eric Vogstrom,applicants,were present. Barnhart said the applicant is requesting sketch plan feedback on a proposal to re-plat the property including adjusting the boundary lines for all three lots(2709 Walters Port Road,2710 Pence,and outlot A). When this property was platted a couple years ago there were some conditions on the final plat resolution that prohibited access from lot 1 to Pence.At the time, Staff and Council wanted to prevent access from Lot 1 to Pence for the main reason that Pence Lane was not constructed to a private road standard—right now it is a private driveway. In the City code a private driveway can serve up to two properties while a private road can serve 3-6 depending on the width of the pavement or up to 10 units if the pavement is wider.There is also a cul-de-sac or turnaround requirement and construction feedback.At the time there were no plans to improve Pence to a private road so the condition was put into the resolution. What the applicants propose now is to re-plat the property,provide the necessary cul-de-sac for Pence Lane,and make Pence Lane a private road. Barnhart said they are interested in hearing any feedback the Commissioners have on that scenario.One main issue from Staff perspective is whether lot 1 has rights access to this portion of Pence Lane. The applicant has provided material that suggests they do have rights to that and the City Attorney is verifying that and will have an answer before filing for a preliminary final plat. The other issue identified is that Pence Lane is a 30 foot wide outlot and is required to be 50 feet wide from City code,therefore it is likely that some variance would be necessary to improve Pence Lane within the existing right-of-way. The challenge is they cannot acquire additional right-of-way because it is constructed on either side.Barnhart noted a comment letter received from a neighboring property owner which was provided to the Commission. They are objecting to the change for a number of reasons outlined in the letter and would be incorporated into a formal public comment period in terms of the preliminary plat.Because there is likely no public improvements necessary before the final plat, Staff anticipates the preliminary and final plat occurring at the same time. He noted they are not subdividing any property,but removing the condition imposed on the original subdivision and there is a distinction there.They are looking for some feedback for the applicant. Kirchner wants to fully understand the purpose served by re-platting. Barnhart said re-platting is a clean depiction of what the lot is,what the boundary lines are,and a lay person can identify the boundaries of lot 1 and lot 2 versus having to go out in to the field and survey and find those corners.From a future easement standpoint and any legal document needed, instead of paragraphs of dimensions,distances,minutes,and seconds becomes lot 1,block 1,Pence Lane,second addition. It is a very clean,distinct depiction of what they are working with. From a planning perspective it is much easier to communicate with future property owners what the boundaries and legal description are. Page 7 of 10