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 7 of 37 9. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) The only reason they are asking for the setback is because there are streets on three sides of the property and that by not asking for the setback on Heritage Lane that will result in a house that is taller and fatter and will appear taller and more massive. Klint stated they arrived at the two curb cuts for ease of access to the site. The primary driveway will be Heritage Lane regardless if the two curb cuts are approved. The house and lot design does not allow for the primary driveway to be off of Heritage Drive. Klint stated the two curb cuts will allow the traffic to move through the site rather than backing up onto the road. Gustafson stated he left the last meeting with the misunderstanding that the objection was to the Heritage Drive and not Heritage Lane. Gustafson stated if there was only one curb cut on Heritage Drive, the design does not work without a 75 to 100 foot sidewalk to the front door. Gustafson indicated cars would also have a difficult time getting around the corner and having a turnaround by the front door. Gustafson stated the one curb cut on Heritage Lane does work but it is not as elegant and requires more asphalt as well as a turnaround. Klint stated another concern that was raised at the last neighborhood meeting was that by having access onto Heritage Lane that would reduce the number of parking spaces available to the residents for on-street parking to access their docks. Klint stated the main concern was that the curb cut on Heritage Lane would eliminate three parking spaces. Klint stated if you assume that there is 20 feet per parking space, the distance from the curb cut to essentially the first parking spot behind the stop sign, there is 340 feet of curb. Given that amount of space, the residents would be able to park up to as many as 17 cars between the curb cut and the stop sign. Klint noted there are 16 lots in the association right now, with two of the lots being empty and two of the lots being located directly across from this property. Klint stated if everyone decided to come and park, there would be enough room for everyone in the association to park on the one side of the street. Klint noted in the past the two curb cuts have been approved by the City Engineer without input from the Council. The new engineer has asked for input from the Council, which is why it is being brought to the Council’s attention tonight. Gustafson asked if Staff has received an opinion from the City Engineer or whether he has simply deferred to the Council. Curtis indicated she did ask him if the decision was a Staff decision versus a Council decision and what standards and concerns need to be addressed with the curb cut approval. Curtis stated the Code requires a 100-foot setback from the corner and other engineering standards be met, such as the curve of the road. Curtis stated the City Engineer generally does not have a concern with one or two curb cuts on a road like this. Gustafson asked if they meet that setback. Curtis stated it is her understanding they have adjusted it to meet the 100-foot setback on Heritage Drive.