09/15/03 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15, 2003 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#6 #03-2929 JEFF MARTINEAU, Continued) Chair Smith asked the applicant to try to comment upon the neighbors requests. Martineau admitted that he was a motivated, hyper, and creative homeowner who was always trying to improve his property. While he has continued to renovate his home over the years, Martineau indicated that he was sorry to have had such a negative impact upon Mr. Callahan. With regard to the other neighbor, Martineau stated that he had just listed Mrs. Woodhouse's home for sale. He indicated that the nature of the Ordinances is to allow someone to renovate their home to meet their needs,which he maintained he had been attempting to do with his substandard property all along. While he wished to be good neighbor and cooperate with the request to wait until June 2004, Martineau indicated that he would have to make some adjustments and speak to his contractors. He added that, he too, would love to avoid removing the hardcover; however,believed the Commission would have a different view of that request. Chair Smith thanked the applicant for his cooperation and flexibility in handling the situation with the neighbor. She suggested Callahan add any notation he chooses to his own address file for future owners to view. Since the applicant agreed to potentially postpone additional construction until June, she asked if the applicant had any active permits on record to fulfill. While he had no permits that he was currently working on, Martineau maintained that he has always strived to take care of his property. Chair Smith reiterated that the garage accessory structure limitations would include a half bath, no kitchenette, and removal of driveway hardcover to ensure it not be turned into a guest house. Rahn stated that he had no issues with the application and complimented the applicant on the design, as it will look like a garage with attic space. He felt that it would not be a good idea for the Commission to place limitations on the application restricting him of when he could actually begin his work. While he could decide, on his goodwill, to delay work until June 2004, Rahn felt the City should not mandate that timeline to the applicant. Bremer, Zugschwert, Mabusth, and Fritzler agreed that it was not in the City's authority to mandate the dates for construction. Hawn asked the neighbor if he had had issues with the hours of construction the neighbor had been working under. Callahan acknowledged that the applicant had always been very considerate of his requests and not begun construction work until after 8:00 - 8:30 A.M. PAGE 8 of 25