LA18-000077 (1335 Arbor St) VAR Ex C Draft PC Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 17, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Staff finds there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area, lot width, and proposed setbacks. Due to the size of the lot located within the two-acre RR-1B zoning district. The lot is also unique in that it has street which is abutting three sides of the lot. Public comments were made at the January 16, 2018, Planning Commission meeting in favor of the proposed project. A major concern that came up from the neighborhood was the proposed height of the building and for it to remain a one-story home as to not overshadow the street, which will help the home maintain the character of the neighborhood. This was a discussion by the City Council as well. The new redesigned home is a one-story home with no windows above the first floor. If the Planning Commission has sufficient findings for the requests, Staff would recommend approval of the requested variances. Oakden displayed an aerial photograph of the area and pointed out the location of the existing house. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. Jeff Martineau, Developer, stated he has been shepherding this property since the first application and that the owner of the property and the original applicant have not changed. Martineau indicated he has been working with the purchasers to help them design a plan that would work with the City and their requirements. Since then a builder has reviewed the plans and is recommending some changes. One of the changes was to make the setback variance 9.5 feet on the back of the house. By straightening the wall of the house out, it substantially shrunk the window well area and created a better use of the area between the properties. The party that is building the house will be guttering that side of the house and will do whatever is necessary to carry the water away from there. Martineau stated in his view these are small changes that truly make sense and do not change the structural coverage or hardcover. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. There were no public comments related to this application. Chair Thiesse continued the public hearing to the October 8 City Council meeting. Thiesse stated he would consider these to be minor changes. Thiesse asked if there are any conditions for protecting a window well that is over four feet deep. Oakden stated to her knowledge the City does not have any regulations requiring covering of window wells. Olson moved, Landgraver seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000077, John Knoblauch, 1335 Arbor Street, granting of a side street setback variance and interior side setback variance. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0.