05-21-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,May 21,2001 (#2636 GARY AND SUSAN CABLE, CONTINUED) Smith inquired whether the Applicants would be willing to consider the addition of those two items. Cable indicated the construction of the house is completed. Cable stated they reduced the hardcover down to what they were allowed at the time they built the house. Berg indicated the need for a sidewalk and paved access to the third stall was discussed at the November Planning Commission meeting. Berg stated in her view a sidewalk and paved access will eventually be added on this property, which will bring the total hardcover on the property over the allowable 25 percent. Kluth inquired whether the City's Ordinances require a front sidewalk and paved access to all garage stalls. Weinberger stated there presently are not Code requirements pertaining to that. Kluth noted the City did issue a building permit up to the maximum hardcover amount without allowing for a sidewalk and additional driveway to the third stall. Weinberger stated that issue had been discussed at the time the Applicants applied for the building permit, but since this site plan did meet all the requirements of the City,the building permit was issued. Gaffron stated in quite a number of instances Applicants will approach the City with site plans that are in excess of the allowable hardcover,with Staff working with the Applicants in order to reduce the amount of hardcover and structural coverage being proposed on the property. Gaffron stated Staff did question the lack of a sidewalk and lack of access to the third stall of the garage at the time they applied for the building permit. Gaffron stated the Applicants would be able to place a wood chip sidewalk to the house if they so choose. Stoddard stated it is his understanding of the November Planning Commission meeting that they were debating whether the ice house should remain. Stoddard stated since this application did not reappear before the Planning Commission, he had assumed the Applicants had taken steps to address the issue of the sidewalk and access to the garage. Cable stated at the time they appeared before the Planning Commission,the building permit had already been issued. Stoddard stated the function of the Planning Commission is to help insure that the site plans are in compliance with the City's ordinances. Stoddard stated in his view the sidewalk and access to the third stall will be added in the future. Stoddard inquired whether the Applicants would be able to reduce hardcover somehow and provide for a sidewalk to the front door. Weinberger stated currently the hardcover in the 75-250' setback is under the allowable 25 percent limit by 46 square feet without the ice house. Weinberger stated the Applicants could provide a paver stone system for a front sidewalk rather than a full sidewalk. PAGE 3