11-28-1988 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO PIANNINO COMMISSION September 19, 1988 P3go acknowledges that the Code does .list nguisrr between private and public streets and that no length maximum is stated for private cul-de-sacs. He also no —is that a lateral reading of the Code would indicate that the city will allow private cul-de-sacs of any length, with no consideration for public safety, or even the Community's Transport stion F'ann,ng objectives. Clearly that would be an unreasonable interpretation. As you know, this is an application for approval of a PRD. That section of the ordinance does permit some flexibility in lot size and contains some provisions related to private open space. It does not authorize the departure from the str: . interpretation of the other performance standards (setba, height limitations, etc.). The proposed PUD Chapter that the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council at Vhe last workshop meeting would permit design flexibility of this naturi, if they presented certain desirable opportunities for the inity. From the discussion ,resented above it is clear that the City sk,auld act on this application with the understanding that the proposed cul-de-sac l,igth does not require the approval of a variance. We recommer, that the Planning Commission and City Council not only consider this requt2st on its merits, but also in the context of the standard teat you wish to set for �ubseyuent req,;ests. Bpcause you should always strive to act consistentiy in similar factuN:-1-tuations. What is very important '. nder-i-ar.i, however, is that since this application dc�s .rot require a variance, you do not need to find a hardship present in order to approve it. Rather, you could cite other findings to justify the approval, and if these findings are prepared carefully, the prutlim of creating a precedent can be mitigated. The applz-.:ants have analyzed the suggestion of loop e proposed street. They plan tc m-ike a complete presen- co the Planning Commission and Cit:, Council and fully exp' l `•y they have chosen not to fol'ov that suggestion. Basicaily, they have fiund that because of the topography in this area, the grading required to complete the loop would be extensive. They find that approximately 3/4 of an acre of additional woods would have to be cleared and that much of this street extension would be constructed at approximately 8 percent gradient.