Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> February 21,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> bluff line top.He said the bluff has been moved back 22 feet. That's part of the reason why we're in a <br /> variance situation now,I guess, because it wasn't built in accordance with plans. There's a mistake there.I <br /> don't know exactly what the significance of that is.And I actually want to compliment Tyler,Joe,you <br /> guys did a good job on the walls. Good job. They worked hard. Tyler was up here explaining.He worked <br /> with us,he worked with the neighbors on the other side. So I don't necessarily want to have it torn down <br /> and start over.And that's up to you guys to figure out. <br /> The Commissioners, applicants and neighbors continued to review photos and drawings. <br /> Curtis pointed out that the applicant is not asking for approval on these issues. We're going back and forth <br /> about what was there and what what's there now but we know it's not what was there before. <br /> Mr.Valdes said to go eight feet high with the wall,you have to go eight feet back. We have property <br /> lines,we have neighbors.We had tie backs going from the first wall all the way to the second wall. So all <br /> the walls basically want to structure all the way from the bottom to the top of the wall. That way we know <br /> how to approach anybody's property, and we'd be able to save histories. We actually did more work to be <br /> able to make sure that we're stable enough. So if you have one wall, all the way to the top has got to tie <br /> and nail into each other and the whole thing is one structure all the way. This is why that is not right.He <br /> said some of the structure now in place is temporary because the wall is not finished. They addressed the <br /> drainage on the east end by putting in drain tiles in the corner that will drain the whole yard. We have the <br /> pipes ready behind the walls to hook up but the job is not complete. <br /> McCutcheon asked about drainage and the current opinion of the engineer for the project. <br /> Mr. Valdes said water would go to the corner where the fence used to be where there was an old catch <br /> basin and some tires. Those have been removed and everything is now buried. He said this winter there <br /> has been 70 inches of snow. When it melts,the water will go west to east where they have put in a berm. <br /> The water will not go to any neighbor's property. He said the retaining walls are being designed so it will <br /> not have to have a railing. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. <br /> McCutcheon opened commission discussion saying it's a pretty significant build.And he understands the <br /> challenges with burning down trees,the root system failing, and yet needing to hold all that soil back. He <br /> also said he can understand the concern from the neighbors as it's different in character from the rest of <br /> the area. But looking at it, if you tore it down and rebuilt it,I'm thinking you'd look pretty similar because <br /> of all the earth that was removed. I'd like to hear the comments of the commission here on what can be <br /> done next steps,because we can't change the past. So let's try to keep the conversation on what can be <br /> done going forward. Do we let them finish it with the proposed changes?Or does anybody have an <br /> opinion on some kind of other plan or approach towards this? <br /> Kirchner said his initial frustration is that in-kind walls were approved and we didn't land there. Due to <br /> the dirt that was removed.today we can't go back and do X,Y and Z.And therefore, by the applicant and <br /> the homeowner circumventing the process,they removed that ability for neighbors, City staff, and this <br /> Page 7 of 19 <br />