07-20-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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� MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,June 1_5,2015 6:30 dclock p.m. The applicant has revised the driveway location at the direction of the City Engineer. The new location appears to meet the code requirement and a complete evaluation of the site will be done by the City Engineer at the time of building permit issuance. The corner lot is subject to 50-foot setbacks from Orono Orchard Road as well as Woodhill Avenue. A 30-foot setback is required from the north property line and the side street property line is 30 feet from the edge of the paved roadway. The proposed home will be at least 60 feet from the road. Normally the edge of pavement is 12 to 20 feet from the edge of the ri�ht-of-way. The substandard width of the lot, combined with the required 50-and 30-foot setbacks result in an approximate 40' x 60' building envelope. The sloping topography, wetland, and likely associated poor soils further limit locations for the house. The existing home is a one-level rambler with a tuck-under garage and is situated as close as 13.5 feet from the front and 22 to 26 feet from Woodhill Avenue. The proposed two-story home will be set back further from both roadways than the existing home on the property, with the attached garage fronting on Orono Orchard. Both streets have wider than normal boulevard areas which offer greater separation between the home and the traveled portion of the roadway which results in the appearance of a greater setback and more open space. The new home and driveway will most certainly result in removal of trees and Staff finds practical difficulties exist to support redevelopment of the property, such as the substandard lot area and width which are not the result of actions by the landowner. The proposed home is reasonable and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. In addition,the topography and wetland location drive the building site to the western portion of the property where street setbacks have a greater impact on building siting. Planning Staff recommends approval of the requested lot area, lot width, side street setback variances in order to redevelop the subject property. A detailed landscape plan should be provided prior to the City Council's review of the application to assure adequate screening is provided and that the character of the finished property will be consistent with the neighborhood. Page 31 of 79