02-22-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 8, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 18 of 32 11. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 SHORELINE ROAD, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) Walsh stated his concerns center around the practical difficulty issues given the fact that this is an empty lot. Walsh stated there is no practical difficulty for the conditional use permit. McMillan noted a conditional use permit does not require a practical difficulty. Walsh stated he would not angle the house within the building envelope since that throws off the setbacks and instead straighten it out to see if any variances are required. Walsh stated he also is not a big fan of the two driveway cuts and that one curb cut would be fine, especially given the amount of driveway that is then required. Walsh stated the fence is more of a long-term issue and that he is not sure a 6-foot fence around the entire property is necessary, especially from an aesthetics standpoint. Walsh stated he has a lot of questions about how the project is being laid out on the lot and that they could probably bring the house further back. Gustafson indicated he has constructed a number of homes on the lake and that every one of them was pushed as close as possible to the lake. Gustafson stated they are still pretty far from the lake. Walsh noted one of the neighbors had voiced some concerns at the Planning Commission meeting about the location of the house and that he was bringing it up so they could consider it. Levang asked how guests would enter the property. Levang asked if the visitors would enter off of Heritage Lane and then exit onto Heritage Drive. Gustafson stated that was the thought and that a number of the other properties in the area have a circular drive. Gustafson stated if there was not a second curb cut, they would have to create additional parking area. Levang stated if the Heritage Lane curb cut was eliminated, guests would need to back up and a bump-out would probably be required but would eliminate one curb cut and possibly reduce the hardcover. Gustafson noted they are well under the hardcover limit and that the driveway would likely have to be made wider for parking. Levang noted they have pulled the fence back from what was presented at the Planning Commission and varied it somewhat, but that there might be a way to shorten it up back near the driveway off of Heritage. Levang commented she wants to be compassionate about the special needs child but that there might be a way to shorten it up. Gustafson asked if it is the height of the fence rather than the location or amount of fence that is the main concern. Levang indicated it is.