09-16-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 16, 2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#7) WAYNE AND KAREN SOOJIAN,4496 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued Gaffron indicated that staff could provide before and after calculations with regard to runoff, with the goal being that the applicant reduce the runoff and create no more drainage that runs to the west than is currently occurring today. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. (Recess taken from 8:26 p.m.- 8:35 p.m.) (#8) #02-2827 SVEN GUSTAFSON,4515 NORTH SHORE DRIVE,VARIANCES 8:36 p.m. - 9:23 p.m. Sven Gustafson, Applicant, and Jeffrey Gustafson, the Applicant's father, were present. Bottenberg reported that the applicant is proposing to tear down and construct a new residence on a lot that does not meet lot area or lot width requirements. The lot is served by sanitary sewer and currently has a house and detached garage on it. She indicated that the proposed residence does meet structural and hardcover coverage requirements of city ordinances. Bottenberg pointed out that the subject property is non-conforming in lot area and lot width and there is a vacant parcel of similar size to the west. The same person had owned the two properties since the early 1980's; however, the two properties were never legally combined and have now been sold to different parties. Bottenberg maintained that City ordinances do not prohibit separate sale of adjacent substandard commonly owned lots in sewered areas. She indicated that staff recommends approval of the lot area and lot width variances to construct a new residence on the property. Since two substandard lots that have never been legally combined can be sold separately, Gaffron cautioned the Planning Commission that if they chose to deny the application, they would have to come up with some significant findings to do so. Bottenberg noted that letters and comments received from neighbors have centered around concern about the separate sale of the two lots, added development in the cove area, safety, and similar drainage and runoff issues as discussed earlier. As a builder and Sven's father, Jeffrey Gustafson stated that he was disappointed to hear of the neighbor's letters and objections. He stated that he had sent out letters to the neighbors telling them what the applicant was proposing and inviting them to visit him to discuss the development. Although purchased by separate parties, Mr. Gustafson pointed out that it will be nice that both homes are being designed in correlation with one another, compliment each other, and hopefully be an asset to the neighborhood. As the builder, Gustafson ensured the neighbors that his group was trained in building in established neighborhoods and would do so in a timely manner. PAGE 13