10-22-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 22, 2001 7:00 o'clock p.m. ( #01 -2714 Fred Puzak, Continued) Variances are required to allow the new building to encroach within 48 feet of the lakeshore, which is approximately the same setback as the existing structure, and to allow hardcover within 75 feet of the lakeshore. A variance to lot area is also required. This property consists of 0.495 acre, with the minimum lot area being 0.5 acre. The Planning Commission had recommended approval of this application by a vote of 7 to 0 for the variances subject to the condition that the property owner verify either conforming septic sites or connection to City sewer be completed. The lot is not immediately adjacent to City sewer and the property owner would be required to extend the sewer line to his property as well as obtain an easement from the adjoining property owner. The Applicant did hire Koch's Soil Testing to complete soil testing and design for a septic system. The tests and design work show that the property can support a maximum three - bedroom system. The proposed house was proposed to be a five- bedroom home. Matt Bolterman, On -site Systems Manager, has approved the design, but for a house with three bedrooms or less. State Code requires that the number of bedrooms in a single - family residence be used to determine the required system capacity. • Weinberger stated back in 1970, the lots adjacent to Mr. Puzak's property were commonly owned up until the early 1970s. The house was required be connected to City sewer at that time. The property owner did not agree to connect the house or to provide sewer connections to any of the vacant lots. • Eventually the property sold, with Lot 30 being sold to Mr. Puzak and the other remaining lots being purchased by Mr. Franklin. Weinberger stated the issue before the Council is whether the sewer line should be connected to the Puzak property. Weinberger stated at the time the lots were sold, an easement for sewer was granted over Lot 31 to Mr. Puzak that provided for private septic tank and drainfield use. At the time the Planning Commission reviewed this application, a plan showing a five- bedroom residence was reviewed. Since then it has been determined that there are not two suitable septic sites to support a five- bedroom house and that the maximum would be for a three - bedroom system. Staff recommends approval of the variance application subject to the property owner submitting final architectural plans converting two of the five proposed bedrooms into another use. The existing non- compliant septic system would be required to be abandoned per state and local requirements and the new three - bedroom system installed prior to occupancy of the new house. Weinberger noted any change to the layout of the house or exterior plan would require a new variance application. Puzak stated he does have the documentation showing two alternate septic sites for his property, with a possibility for extending the primary site to accommodate a four - bedroom house. Puzak stated it is not his primary goal to build a septic system, noting he has attempted in the past to obtain an easement from the adjoining property owner. Puzak stated in his view the house plan that he has developed is reasonable, and requested the Council approve his plan subject to the sewer issue being deferred. Puzak requested he be given time to resolve the sewer issue. 0 PAGE 16