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Zoning File #2326 <br />January 16, 1998 <br />Page 9 <br />spaces are within 30' of the uses they will serve, that there is no substantial conflict <br />on the principal operating hours of the two or more uses sharing the joint parking, <br />and if such joint parking is ultimately allowed, that a property legal instrument <br />defining the City approval and conditions for such joint parking is created. <br />Parking stalls are shown on the site plan at the City's standard 9'x20* standard, and <br />a 25' driving lane is proposed between rows of parking spaces. Again, the issue of <br />a variance for having parking encroach on the front yard area is primarily a function <br />of the topography of the site and the proposed uses. In order to maintain two rows <br />of conforming parking spaces and an adequate driving aisle, approximately a 65' <br />width is required. <br />In staffs opinion, maintaining the 20' parking setback to Shadywood is critical for <br />a number of reasons, including: <br />providing at least a 10' green strip for tree and landscape planting <br />providing for future expansion of Shadywood Road (not planned, but <br />who can predict what the future holds...) <br />maintaining the natural character that Orono envisions in its <br />comprehensive planning, especially in relation to the B-5 district <br />Maintaining the 20' front yard as a green space could be accomplished in a number <br />of wavs, all of which have a major impact on the site plan: <br />1. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />Eliminate the row of parking spaces uith the front yard. The site would then <br />be severely short for parking. <br />Reduce the depth of the building by approximately 15' or 25%. This could <br />have significant impacts on the design of the building, for instance making <br />it more linear in nature, i.e. longer in order to provide the same amount of <br />floor area. <br />Revise storm water ponding area to allow the improvements to the site to <br />encroach another 15' to the east. <br />Reduce the width of the rear drive, if such width is not strictly necessary to <br />accomodate more than one lane of vehicles. <br />Applicant and Planning Commission should discuss the viability of any of these or <br />other possible options to increase the parking setback from the front lot line, in order <br />to maintain some landscaped green space within the front yard area.