03-28-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 14, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13 of 37 9. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) Senior Planner Gaffron noted the City has had requests for two curb cuts on private roads as well as public roads in the past and that a number of them have been approved on the private roads, especially in the 2-acre zone, because they had little impact on the neighborhood. On 50-foot lots, two curb cuts have been routinely denied. Gaffron stated there are no standards in Chapter 18 or other zoning chapters that provide direction on when Staff should or should not approve those and that it has pretty much been left to the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve. Walsh noted the City has not received any input from the neighbors yet tonight. McMillan asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this Melanie Flessner, 1190 Heritage Lane, stated her major concern with the property is the driveway for Heritage Lane and the two curb cuts. Flessner noted the Fox Hill Homeowners Association has maintained that entire easement for over 50 years and that for it to become used as a driveway would not be aesthetically pleasing. Flessner commented it would be a nice, beautiful property for the Tufaa family but that the rest of the neighborhood will get to look at cement. Flessner stated it is likely the trees that are there right now would be removed along with the grass. Flessner noted there has not been any discussion regarding landscaping in that area and that it is a concern. Flessner noted the developer talked about taking the fencing off the table for the time being, which means that the City and neighbors will again be forced to look at it. Flessner stated she got the impression that the house was placed further back so it could accommodate the driveway and that they did not lose any lakeshore. Flessner stated the regulations of the City should be followed and that she is not sure why new homes should need variances. Flessner stated if they go with a higher height, there would not be a need for a side setback variance. McMillan noted the City Council did receive Ms. Flessner’s e-mail as well. McMillan asked how many trees would be removed for the curb cut. Gustafson stated it likely will be two. Flessner commented there are more than two trees in that area. Gustafson stated he is talking about the trees in the location of the curb cut. Flessner stated the roots of some of the other trees will likely be cut and eventually die. Tufaa stated they do not want to come into the neighborhood as strangers and that they want to do everything possible that they can to accommodate the neighbors. Tufaa stated they do not want to cut a single tree down if they do not have to. Tufaa indicated he would be willing to replace any trees they cut down. McMillan asked if the curb cut has been identified. Gustafson indicated it has been.