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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> February 22,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Mr.Gronberg shared they put a snake down from the road as they cannot come in and turn around. <br /> Ressler clarified that he is in support of this and thinks the City Council would like to see a demonstration <br /> of the tree cover and a better understanding of the practical difficulties. <br /> Erickson moved,Libby seconded,to approve LA22-000007,65 Stubbs Bay Road North,Lot Area <br /> and Lot Width Variances,Side Yard Setback and Front Yard Setback Variances.VOTE: Ayes 5, <br /> Nays 0. <br /> SKETCH PLAN PRESENTATION <br /> 5. LA22-000002 JIM HILLIER, 1245 ARBOR STREET, SUBDIVISION,SKETCH PLAN. <br /> Staff presented a summary packet of information.Mr.Barnhart shared the Applicant is requesting sketch <br /> plan review on a proposed subdivision that would subdivide a 0.634 acre parcel into two equal lots.The <br /> property is in a two acre zone and each lot is proposed at .14 acre with sanitary sewer and served by a <br /> well. Staff does not support the subdivision as proposed primarily because it is inconsistent with zoning <br /> ordinance which requires a two acre minimum lot size and 200 feet of frontage and neither lots meet those <br /> requirements. The only setback met is the front at 50 feet,the side yard, side street,and rear yard setbacks <br /> are non-conforming based on the proposed house pad. Staff is looking for feedback tonight and there is no <br /> public hearing. <br /> Jim Hillier, 1224 Briar Street,is looking to take what was historically four platted lots,was divided into <br /> two parcels, and was then combined into one.They are looking to put it back to the two parcels with two <br /> separated PIDs. The history of the neighborhood was 50 feet by 140 foot platted lots, so 80%of the lots <br /> in the neighborhood are between 7,000-11,000 square feet.These lots would be roughly 14,000 square <br /> feet. In looking at the neighborhood there is a post office, school, art center,and in Mr.Hillier's <br /> perspective it was not designed to be two acre urban estates.To keep it as a larger parcel one would want <br /> to put a larger home on it and he does not want to do that,noting he bought the lot next door and built a <br /> new home where there was once a dilapidated home.He noted they would like to do the same thing with <br /> these two parcels to improve the neighborhood and meet some goals of the Comprehensive Plan which is <br /> to create affordable housing,and upgrade older neighborhoods with empty lots. <br /> Kirchner understands the overall thought process based on neighboring homes.However he does not <br /> think it is appropriate or productive for the Planning Commission to support this as it goes against the <br /> Comp Plan and current zoning districts. <br /> Bollis asked if this goes against the Comp Plan. <br /> Barnhart replied no.The zoning ordinance is consistent with the Comp Plan and the Comp Plan guides <br /> the City for large lots. There are certain pockets within the community that have not developed under that <br /> goal. In 2018 discussions and review of the Comp Plan this neighborhood was specifically talked about <br /> and the potential for changing the land-use for it because of the development pattern.The City Council at <br /> that time said no,the goal is larger lots in this area as well,and they elected not to increase density in the <br /> area. <br /> Ressler thinks the Applicant makes a good point regarding density but the time to have that discussion is <br /> when the Comp Plan is updated. He noted they have seen the same thing with the Casco Point area <br /> Page 8 of 9 <br />