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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,July 16,2001 <br /> (#01-2691 J. Eric and Christine Menge,Continued) <br /> that their bedroom would be in close proximity to the proposed garage. Stoddard asked what the <br /> distance would be. Berg responded it would be approximately 37'. <br /> John Blumentritt and Craig Johnson, architects for the project, presented a computerized <br /> demonstration of the proposal. The demonstration presented the location of the existing house and <br /> the neighbor's home,conversion of the existing one-car garage to living space,trees and shrubs on <br /> the property,450 s.f. of additional living space, and a two-car garage addition. <br /> Blumentritt explained that he had been working with Menges on a plan that would address the garage <br /> addition and proximity to the neighbor. The face of the neighbor's house is 6' closer to the road than <br /> the Menges, with an additional 6' of entryway. With the footprint of the existing home at 24'x 24', <br /> they looked at various ways to increase space. By angling the garage, an area was created that would <br /> facilitate maintenance equipment in the garage. They also looked at placing the garage so it would <br /> face the neighbor to the north. This would have minimized the distance of the garage to the <br /> neighbor, but places the driveway along the property line. Slope conditions would also require fill <br /> and retaining walls. An angled garage would change the view of the addition for the neighbor to a <br /> point of the garage rather than the whole face,minimizing privacy issues. The angled garage also <br /> minimizes the amount of driveway and grading required. <br /> Blumentritt also commented on the possibility of another bedroom in the basement. He <br /> recommended against this idea, noting that a master bedroom addition was being considered for <br /> some future time as a second floor. Under the garage, a studio area is planned to be used for <br /> hobbies. If the Menges can afford to put a room under the porch, it will be a recreation area with a <br /> pool table. <br /> Mabusth asked where the future master bedroom would be. Blumentritt responded that it would be <br /> everything to the right of the gable on the entry roof,which would be over the main portion of the <br /> existing structure. <br /> Mabusth commented that the septic capacity was of major concern with the possibility of an <br /> additional bedroom. Blumentritt confirmed there would be a second septic site available for a <br /> mound system. Hawn questioned the need for primary and alternate septic sites. Weinberger <br /> responded that the City asks for two sites,but added that the City will accept a letter from whoever <br /> does the testing to ensure that a potential future site isn't lost by the addition. <br /> Blumentritt noted that if the garage addition were put on the other side of the house,the walkout <br /> lower level would necessitate importing approximately 8' of elevation. In addition,the bedroom <br /> windows below would be blocked. <br /> Blumentritt reviewed the hardships for the variance application including the fact that a one car <br /> garage is not the norm and the difficult site conditions. The proposed design will be able to save <br /> some mature trees and buffer the garage doors from neighbor. <br /> Berg inquired about the room in the back beneath the deck. Johnson explained that it was proposed <br /> and would be included if the budget figures would allow the additional construction. <br /> PAGE 4 <br />