03-16-2020 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,March 16,2020 6:00 o'clock p.m. whole house is basically in the 0-75. One of the variances he is looking for is 3 square feet,and he pointed out that area on the plan.He understands impacting the shoreline is sensitive not only to him,but also to Staff and everyone that lives in the community. He discussed the location of the stormwater management system and noted the retention area on the plan,which will minimize any runoff impact on the shoreline.He noted another variance is the average shoreline setback--on a man-made channel -- which brings the average shoreline setback to 150 feet from the shore.He said,with the shape of the land, the equipment in the first room has been challenging, and they did the best they could and minimized it to 3 square feet.They are taking the water and directing it away from the lake. They believe it is a hardship arising from the fire.The owners loved their geothermal heating system,but the fire got so hot that it compromised all of the in-floor radiant heat. They had to jackhammer all the tile up on the floors except the basement. On the main level and second floor,it is demoed to the studs. The heating system needs to be in the basement,and he did not feel it made sense to tear more things apart,remove stairways,or do something internally to put a system in,because the homeowners had no control over this issue. Mr.Ashraf Wahba,AS&W Mechanical Corporation,said the fire was over 1200°F in the garage. He had photos of where the fire started and also the staircase in the basement.He discussed the support load beam and indicated nothing could be moved interior-wise. The only 2 things that survived the fire were the elevator and staircase,and he said he could not justify demoing the stairs.He displayed several pictures of the structure's interior and talked about the challenges given the sizing,configuration,and concrete.According to State Code,there cannot be obstructions 3 feet in front of a breaker panel and anything related to line voltage or low voltage.He also pointed out the steel welded into the structure on the second level.He said the fire was in the kitchen and went up.He indicated the geothermal heat pump company went out of business in 2012.He noted there were initially 3 mechanical rooms. The new mechanical room will contain a boiler,domestic hot water, and ventilation system,which is the same as before the fire. The fourth mechanical room will be in the master bedroom.He discussed the code requirements that need to be followed in relation to the house.He stated it is not an equipment upgrade; it is more of a downgrade. Ms. Sue Dunldey,2709 Walters Port Lane,said the codes changed 3 times since 2008 but they were in compliance when the house was built.Because of the location of the furnace room and electric,they need to use that area for what it was intended. She is hopeful that since the issue is being 3 feet closer to a man- made channel as opposed to a lakeshore,that this is something they can go with. She knows the Commission does not want anyone in the 75-foot setback. She said the house was built in the 1950s,there was no Council at that time,and that is the foundation they have.They did not intend to be on the lakeshore. She understands the drainage area has been a huge problem from the beginning, and they are spending a large amount of money to readjust all of the drainage that comes throughout the neighborhood. She is hopeful the Planning Commission can help them out; it will be 1'V2 years before the project is done. Mr. Vogstrom said there is an Affidavit from a neighbor that supports this and doesn't have an issue with the addition.There have been meetings in the neighborhood, and as far as he knows,no one has voiced opposition. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. There were no public comments relating to this application. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. Page 5 of 16