18-4000 Garcia (1335 Arbor St) Exhibit B PC Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 16, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ property and that it is his belief it is in the best interest of the neighborhood not to make this a two-story house, especially given the street on three sides of the house. Thiesse stated he is looking at the floor plan and he sees a sunroom and a study. Thiesse commented those are wonderful to have but that the applicant might have to decrease the size. Martineau noted the plan was originally at 38 feet wide and they reduced it to 36 feet wide. Lemke asked whether a two-story would be preferable. Thiesse indicated it would not be preferable but it would be allowed. Leskinen stated having the road on three sides makes the lot more challenging and noted the new home would be more centered on the lot. Leskinen questioned whether having a two-story house or having a one-story that is 348 square feet over the allowed structural coverage is really the lesser of two evils. Thiesse noted the home on one side is two stories and the other homes in the neighborhood are a story and a half. Landgraver stated the City thoroughly vetted the new structural coverage ratios and that he is not inclined to approve the increase in structural coverage. Landgraver stated he is willing to approve a two-story home since that is an efficient use of land. Landgraver stated if everything else were single story, he might make an exception, but that he has a feeling that some of the other neighbors in the future may want a two-story. Oakden stated because the proposed house encroaches the setback, if those setbacks continue to be proposed with a two-story home, they would require a variance since the second story would be a new encroachment in height in the setback areas. Landgraver moved, Schwingler seconded, to recommend denial of Application No. 18-4000,