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• <br /> MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 16,2005 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#05-3100 Larry and Sheryl Palm, Continued) <br /> Buchanich stated if the house is located further back, the slope of the driveway would exceed 15 percent. <br /> Bremer indicated she is agreeable to granting the lot area and lot width variances but that some direction <br /> needs to be given to the applicant on the drainage issues. Bremer inquired whether the other Planning <br /> Commission members are in favor of granting the lot area and lot width variances. <br /> Rahn stated due to the topography of the lot,the size of the house and the amount of hardcover being <br /> proposed in two zones contributes to the drainage problems on this lot. Rahn reiterated that he would <br /> prefer to have a drainage plan that has been reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to <br /> reviewing this application. <br /> Palm stated as it relates to the water runoff off the hill,they can manage that runoff and that they are <br /> dealing with issues further up the hill. Palm stated the existing house is less than half of what is being <br /> proposed and that they are unable to control the runoff issues. Palm indicated the larger house would give <br /> them the ability to control the runoff and that a lot of effort has been put into designing these plans to deal <br /> with these issues. <br /> Rahn stated he probably would be in agreement with the proposal if the city engineer approves the <br /> drainage plan and that it is difficult to act on an application without that approval. <br /> Bremer stated in her opinion this is a buildable lot and that she would be in favor of the lot area and lot <br /> width variances. Bremer stated she also is in agreement with allowing the retaining wall to go up to the <br /> property line. <br /> Rahn stated he does not want to hear later that the drainage plan may not work given the length of the <br /> house. <br /> Palm stated he would be able to save a month if he is allowed to go before the City Council with a <br /> drainage plan that has been approved by the city engineer and staff. <br /> Winkey inquired whether there is anything else that Rahn is concerned about should the city engineer <br /> approve the drainage plan. Winkey indicated he would not be opposed to moving the application forward <br /> to the City Council subject to staff approval of the drainage plan. <br /> Kempf indicated he is not opposed to the lot width and lot area variances. Kempf noted a letter from <br /> Bruce Vang has been received which says the extreme topography of this lot makes it one of the most <br /> difficult lots to construct on in Orono. Kempf stated in his view it is valuable to see elevations of what <br /> will be seen from the lakeshore and that it would be valuable to have information concerning the type of <br /> materials the wall would be constructed of. <br /> Kempf noted if the wall ever did fail,the neighboring house located below the wall could face potential <br /> devastation and life-threatening impacts to that property owner. Kempf stated he would prefer to see a <br /> PAGE 14 <br />