07-08-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, June 17,2002 6:30 o*clock p.m. obvious to her that the applicant thought he would get away with it, and even went so far as to plant trees. More than simply erosion control was done. She felt the applicant was not being totally upfront with the Commission, the area was once a densely treed spot, and now the applicant had created a grade almost as steep as before with no trees to stop the slope. Dave Peltin, 1950 Fo.x Ridge Road, a current eleven year resident and childhood resident, believed the project to ^ improvement. Mr. Peltin stated that the drop off created a scary scenario, even as a child himself there years ago. He disagreed that the removal of the old vegetation created a more dangerous situation, stating that previously the only thing to catch one from falling off the cliff were stumps. He felt the newly created buffer was 100 times more valuable than what was there before. Eric Galatz, of Leonard, Street, and Deinard, was in attendance representing Richard Chalfen of 350 Brown Road South. In addition to information provided to staff and the comments by Commissioner Bellows, Mr. Galatz asked to add a few remarks. He reminded the Commission that since no hardship previously existed, Mr. Stephenson had only created a hardship for himself at this time. On Jan. 4,2002 Mr. Stephenson was notified by MCWD to install double silt fencing. On February 22,2002 the City of Orono asked Mr. Stephenson to stop work on the project until conditions improved, furthermore, Mr. Stephenson was responsible for obtaining a wetland delineation prior to commencing his work as required by the original permit. Through their unauthorized grading and filling project, Mr. Galatz pointed out that the Stephenson's have added nearly 40 feet to their back lawn area, as well as, built a new deck and driveway. Mr. Galatz maintained that these facts disclose the Stephensons' failure to follow terms and conditions of existing permits and prior stop work orders. (#02-2793 REVIS STEPHENSON HI, Continued) Mr. Galatz continued, that his client Mr. Chalfen, greatly appreciated his natural setting and privacy, which have now been significantly impacted. He stated that the City had granted variances that would have preserved that natural setting there originally, only now that has been compromised. Mr. Galatz encouraged the Commission to require that the applicant restore thef landscape. In fact, Mr. Galatz stated, the applicant has not made any apologies to his neighbors or the City for his indiscretions. PAGE 18 OF 42