04/21/03 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,April 21, 2003 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#7 #03-2885 GERDA AND ED TOTH, Continued) maximum permitted. The proposed hardcover is comprised of mainly the house,which exceeds the allowable structural coverage on the property. Since the existing house is located within 75' of the OHWL of Lake Minnetonka, demolition of the existing house will leave a hole in the grade that will require some filling and grading before the new home can be constructed farther back on the property. Because grading and filling of more than 10 cubic yards within 75' of the OHWL is prohibited, a variance is required. The applicants do not propose to do any additional work within the 75' setback from the OHWL. Chaput noted that no comments to date have been received from the City Engineer. After presenting 8 issues for consideration, Chaput stated that staff could support the variances for lot area, lot width, hardcover in the 0-75' setback zone and grading within 75' of the OHWL. However, staff could not support the variances for hardcover exceeding 25%in the 75' to 250' setback zone nor structural coverage exceeding the 15%maximum permitted. It is the City's policy that all new construction meet the hardcover and structural coverage requirements when possible. Given the size of the combined property, Chaput maintained that it is possible to meet the hardcover and structural coverage requirements and still build a new home. It has been suggested by the applicants that the property could be looked at as two potential 50' lots that could each be granted the same variances as were granted the single 9,000 s.f. lot next door, i.e. 46% hardcover and 1500 s.f. of structure. In fact, in 1986 the City declared that 1290 Spruce was unbuildable and released it for sale to adjacent owners to make their property more conforming, despite the fact that each of the two lots had been assessed for sewer. Chaput pointed out that it is staff's opinion that comparing the applicant's double lot with the extremely substandard lot next door at 1270, is not a reasonable comparison. Chaput stated that staff would recommend tabling the application to allow the applicants to decrease hardcover in the 75' to 250' setback zone to no more than 25% by redesigning the proposed home. A home located 30' from the street with a 600 s.f. driveway and 100 s.f. of sidewalk could have a 2,050 s.f. footprint. Architect Peter MacDonald, designer for both the Toths and Application#03-2866 for the Killians, gave a detailed presentation on his firm and philosophies. He reviewed the 0-75' setback ordinance and 75'-250' setback ordinance for the Commission in an effort to determine the spirit in which it was created. He indicated that after meeting three times PAGE 30 of 40