05-15-2023 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION April 17, 2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Libby said he had received a note from the adjoining property owner concerned about the possible loss of the large trees along the channel. He asked if they had had an arborist look at them. William Moline, 1940 Shadywood, Orono, the applicant, said the professional opinion of people who have looked at the construction was that if we move the house any further, that that would impact the root structure and that could have a catastrophic effect on the trees. And that's why we were recommended to build on the existing foundation. He said he would be willing to have a tree professional look at them as well before any construction. McCutcheon said he saw a lot of advantages to the property owner and the neighborhood of protecting the trees, so I appreciate you trying to keep those trees where they are during the construction process. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. McCutcheon noted other homes in that area had been expanded by building vertically. Alethia Sadowski with A Sadowski Designs said when she saw the trees her goal was to design a home that was modest enough to accommodate the owner's needs and still maintain the existing conditions. She said she thought the trees probably contributed to the stability of the entire channel at that point. She indicated they found out about all the other nonconforming issues along the way. She also said the house is currently not even a full story and a half. Bollis said in his opinion the applicant has demonstrated what we'd like to see in a lot of these applications where you're building on the foundation. It's pretty modest design, and I'm personally for this one. Kirchner said in looking at the floor plan and design he didn't have an issue with building up. They're not trying to put a monstrous house here. The floor plans are very modest. I feel like there is a good -faith effort from the applicant here to truly make this work as closely as possible within the confines there and I feel like they've done a really good job with that. Kraemer said he would agree. Kirchner moved, Kraemer seconded, to approve LA23-000019, 1940 Shadywood Road, variances as applied. Bollis asked to amend the motion to require silt fencing protection for the large trees during construction. Kirchner and Kraemer accepted the amendment. VOTE: Ayes: 6, Nays 0. OTHER BUSINESS 8. LA22-000058 SHOREWOOD PROPERTIES - MATTHEW TIERNEY, 2305 BAYVIEW PLACE, SKETCH PLAN Page 10 of 12