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MINUTES OF THE <br /> • ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 17,2005 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#05-3142 Christopher and Emily Chapman,Continued) <br /> Bremer stated to her recollection the Planning Commission was happy at the time the builder was <br /> originally before the Commission that the hardcover on this lot was being reduced. Bremer stated the fact <br /> that there is a two-car garage on this lot would help persuade her to allow a smaller shed, like a 10'by 10' <br /> shed,with all the other reductions proposed by the applicant. <br /> Bremer stated the Planning Commission has approved houses in the past without a front sidewalk and <br /> without concrete landings,which is the right of the property owner, and that the Planning Commission <br /> should assume that this property owner will remove the sidewalk and comply with what she is proposing. <br /> Bremer inquired whether Staff is opposed to swapping non-structural hardcover with structural coverage. <br /> Gaffron stated the City has adopted two resolutions in the past few years,with the Council finding it <br /> beneficial to make a distinction between the removal of plastic and landscape fabric as opposed to other <br /> hardcover. The Council found that plastic and landscape fabric was not to be used as a trade-off for a <br /> hardcover reduction. <br /> Gaffron stated sidewalks and concrete pads typically do not require a permit and that perhaps those items <br /> should have been included in the resolution. <br /> Bremer inquired whether there is anything that prevents a property owner from not having a concrete <br /> walkway leading to their front door. <br /> Chapman stated they currently have a relatively wide concrete walkway and that they would prefer a <br /> more natural looking walkway. Chapman stated there also is a concrete landing by the front door. <br /> Chapman indicated it was their intent from the time they purchased this lot to replace the concrete <br /> walkway with something more natural. <br /> Bremer noted the concrete landing would be required. <br /> Leslie inquired whether the hardcover excluded the steppingstones. <br /> Gundlach indicated the applicant has accounted for the stepping-stones in her hardcover numbers. <br /> Rahn stated a property owner is not specifically required to have a sidewalk,but that it is likely that a <br /> concrete front sidewalk would likely reappear at some point in the future. Rahn noted on some <br /> applications in the past the Planning Commission has included a front sidewalk in hardcover calculations <br /> even when it was not originally designed that way. <br /> Chapman stated the entrance they use to the house is typically not the front door. <br /> Rahn inquired whether there are any other areas where hardcover could be removed. Rahn noted the <br /> previous resolution required the removal of 80 square feet of patio. Rahn stated he would prefer a third <br /> stall on the garage rather than a shed. <br /> PAGE 13 <br />