05-15-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANT^ING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 15, IW5 (#3 - <^2022 Robert Melamed - Continued) Smith inquired of the size of the borders Melamed said he has drawn in buffer zones along the exterior lot lines of the property at a SO* width that is only encroached by septic areas Staff has recommended a 30' w ide buffer along shared interior lot lines. Nolan asked that where driveways extend along shared lot lines, that 30’ wide buffer m)t include area of drive, but to extend buffer width to mainttun 30' buffer. Peterson personally felt a variance should be granted to the ordinance, and no change be made to the ordinance Peterson would like the City Attorney s ruling on whether a City can grant itself a variance It w as later noted by Gafiron that this had been done with the post office parking lot Mabusth noted that the Applicant has submitted a letter stating he will follow the path decided upon by the City in regards to access roads. Melamed had thought that the drive would have to be upgraded to a road. The Planning Commissioners replied that another alternative for access would be decided upon but no upgrade of City drive would be recommended Goetten said the problem is that there are already two homes there, and does the City grant a variance for two more. The Council does not look favorably on other developers doing so, then, why should the City allow themselves to gain from granting a variance Goetten said the Council was also not in favor of an internal road. Nolan asked Goetten if the Council preferred two shared access drives off Old Crystal Bay Road. Goetten replied in the negative. Melamed's partner, Ron Lauer, asked if it was possible for the City to make the road a public road. Mabusth said the roadway is already public. By code, if a third house is built, then the driveway must be upgraded to a road. Applicant asked if the City were to find no legal problems with granting itself a variance, as it does with others, would the City look hard at granting this request. Goetten said the Council needs to look at the big picture and noted conflicts with several ordinances at this tune. Lindquist voiced his favor of the bike easement along Old Crystal Bay Road. Lindquist also said he understood where the Council was on the issue of the drive; and even though it may be the best solution, the possibility of coming off of Old Crystal Bay Road was there Mabusth said the Engineer recommended grading of the bike trail along with the developer’s grading. The Engineer advised that it would be difficult for the City to do filling in the future. The filling of wetland areas was an issue as the City would be required to find mitigation areas. It is easier for developers to accomplish before residential development. J