11-19-2001 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,NOVEMBER 19,2001 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#01-2722 Michael and Monica Brown,Continued) Weinberger stated the Planning Commission had reviewed this application at its October meeting and tabled it to allow the property owner to consider options to the site plan in relation to garage size and setbacks. Weinberger stated Brown Road is considered to be the front property line and Minnetonka Avenue being considered the side yard adjacent to street. The Applicants are requesting variances to permit the replacement of an existing garage with a 28' by 24' detached garage. The Applicant is now proposing to construct the same size garage as originally proposed with the location of the garage being slightly changed. The Applicants have indicated they are agreeable to moving the garage back an additional five feet from the property line resulting in a 10-foot setback rather than six feet. There would be a five-foot setback to the alley, which is agreeable to Staff since the City does not intend to develop the alley as a traveled road. Currently the alley is used for electric service. The Applicant did state he has a hardship due to the location of a mature pine tree that is located behind the garage with approximately a 35-foot drip line. The Applicant is unable to move the garage any further back due to the location of this tree. The Applicants have also agreed to reduce the size of the outside parking area to approximately a 15-foot width in order to accommodate some off-street parking. Weinberger stated the second part of the application deals with the Applicant proposing to replace an existing fence that is six feet in height within the side yard adjacent to street setback where a maximum height fence is allowed to be 3.5 feet. The fence is intended to be a privacy fence to the back yard. The fence is currently located 27 feet from the property line. Weinberger noted the Planning Commission at its previous meeting did indicate general support for the fence height variance. The Applicants would like to increase the size of their back yard and relocate a portion of the fence in order to meet a 15-foot setback. Staff recommends approval of the variances to permit replacement of the fence within 50 feet of the street property line and replacement of the existing garage. Brown stated he has spoken with his neighbor regarding this project,who has indicated he is supportive of the project and is willing to help with the landscaping. Brown commented they are planning to plant some arborvitae in the yard and to reduce the size of the outdoor parking area as much as possible. Stoddard inquired whether any cars parked in the driveway would stick out into the street with the proposed new location of the garage. Brown stated the garage is proposed to be located 22 feet from the road. Brown stated in his view the change in the location of the fence will improve the look of the property. Brown indicated he is planning to erect a decorative fence rather than the current stockade fence. There were no public comments regarding this application. Smith inquired why the Applicant would like a six-foot fence versus a 3.5-foot fence. PAGE 2