05-20-1991 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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k'- \: ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD MAY 20, 1991 (#7)ZONING FILE #1642-SWANSON CONTINUED negate the use of the alternate drainfield." Bellov;s referred to Gaffron's notation in his memo that this property is located across the street from property that is zoned two acres. She suggested that such a reference not be made in any other documents as it may place the City in a precarious situc-wion. Bellows also indicated that she was having a difficult time with this application. She said, "I am pleased with the aspect of combining the two lots. However..." Kelley agreed with Bellows that the Planning Commission consistently takes the stand that new construction must conform to all aspects of the Zoning Code. He said, "In this case, the applicant has acquired additional property because he had a deficient lot. He is doubling the amount of acreage and by doing so, is providing a primary and alternate drainfield site." Bellows said, "However, the lot size is still less than 50% of what the Zoning District requires." Cohen said, "I look at it this way. The applicant has no alternatives. He has exercised the only alternative he could, which was acquiring additional property. I will give the applicant the benefit of the doubt, and agree that the lot is just slightly in excess of two acres. Though this property is located in what is now a five acre Zoning District, I would tend to look at it more from the standpoint of conforming to the two acre Zoning District requirements. The neighbors seem to be in favor of Mr. Swanson's plans." Johnson asked Gaffron whether it would be possible for the Stubbs Bay sewer line to ever serve this property in the future. Gaffron replied, "If the Stubbs Bay sewer line ever goes in, it would certainly seem technically feasible to serve this property with sewer by gravity sometime in the future." Gaffron noted that if the applicants undergo a Torrens Proceeding to clear up the discrepancy with the lot line, it may take some time. He asked the Planning Commission whether the lot line issue will have any bearing on their recommendation. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the ten foot discrepancy would have no effect on their recommendation. Moos added that she is more concerned about providing adequate space between the house and the drainfield sites. Johnson stated that the applicant could have come forward with a Variance request to double the square footage of the existing house, without having purchased the additional property. He said, "It is possible that he would have been granted that - 9 - 1 1 ■■kiiir'