09/15/03 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15, 2003 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#5 #03-2905 HEIDI B. NAGEL, Continued) 2. While hardcover is not increasing with this proposal, it is noted that the 75-250' zone remains out of compliance with the 1995 hardcover approvals for this property. Applicants propose to remove two areas of existing concrete - an apron behind the garage, and an unused walkway/apron between the front porch and the driveway. Gaffron reported that staff's recommendation would be to approve the enclosure of the screen porch per the revised plan over a portion of existing 1st story deck, approve the extension of roof to cover the portion of the front porch per the revised plan, and that, in addition to the 225 s.f. of hardcover removals proposed, that an additional 75 s.f. of hardcover be removed to reduce the site to the 4,910 s.f. limit of the 1995 approval. He suggested that the removal consist of a 1 1/2' width of driveway its entire length. Chair Smith questioned whether removal of driveway hardcover would be the appropriate answer due to safety concerns and, since oftentimes, it returns in time. Gaffron acknowledged that, at times, the removals return without permit. Rahn pointed out that it was the structural cover percent that disturbed him most. as opposed to hardcover. Zugschwert questioned whether the removals of hardcover the applicants have achieved, without an increase in hardcover, warrants approval of their request. Nagel pointed out that their lot is approximately 1 1/2 acres, although a portion of their property is swamp land across the street. He believed they were limited by the buildable area of the lot and the 8' easement taken by the road which,with an additional 2'-3' fails to be acknowledged in the lot survey. He indicated that what's been referred to as a second story `deck' would actually be an enclosed great room. Chair Smith asked what the applicant thought of the staff recommendation. Nagel stated that, he believed, they had reduced the hardcover as much as possible without losing more of their driveway which is already been narrowed near the third garage stall. Gaffron indicated that, originally, the applicants had requested additional hardcover; however, have revised the application to scale back any increase and provide additional removals. After inheriting problems with purchase of the home, Nagel pointed out that they had gone to considerable lengths to work with staff at reducing hardcover. He maintained that PAGE 3 of 25