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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 21, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Judy Sutherland, 1365 Arbor, stated she is here tonight for her son. Sutherland stated her son's property abuts the empty lot. Sutherland asked if it will be a two-story house. Sutherland noted there is hardly any back lot to these homes and that she is wondering if the applicant's home will be higher than her son's home is. Curtis pointed out Ms. Sutherland's son's home. Curtis stated the side yard is the area containing the pool and that the proposed house is very similar to the existing house. Curtis stated the house will be centered more in the middle of the lot than what it is currently. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Zitzloff stated he did speak with the neighbors and that they have signed off on the project. Zitzloff stated Dave Sutherland's concern was the removal of some trees and the fact that there would be a lack of shade. Zitzloff stated the proposed house should help with that and that they had a pretty good discussion about the project. Leskinen stated the proposal is very reasonable and is a textbook case for granting a variance. Landgraver moved, Thiesse seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. 15-3775, Jeff Zitzloff, 1380 Briar Street, granting of lot area and lot width variances as well as front, rear and side setback variances. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. 6. #15-3778 TODD BALAN, 2905 CASCO POINT ROAD, VARIANCE, 7:58 P.M. -8:02 P.M. Todd Balan, Applicant, was present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting a hardcover variance in order to construct a new, detached garage over existing nonstructural hardcover. The subject property currently has 29. 79 percent hardcover in a 25 percent hardcover zone. The current structural coverage level is 10 percent. The proposal will result in 12 percent structural coverage and no net hardcover increase since they propose to remove an existing 72 square foot shed and portion of the decorative brick driveway to balance the new hardcover of the garage. Staff finds that the existing hardcover level and home location, combined with the length and width of the property, create practical difficulties for expanding the home or constructing a detached garage without variances. The applicant has provided a plan which results in no additional hardcover and is below the permitted structural coverage limitations. The existing level and current site conditions serve as a practical difficulty. Staff has not received any comments from the public regarding the applicant's proposal. Planning Staff recommends approval of the application. Thiesse asked if the structure is going to expand beyond the paving. Curtis indicated that is correct. Curtis stated the shed will be removed as well as a portion of hardcover adjacent to the shed. Page 15 of 46