01/20/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 20, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-2969 TERRY AND GRETCHEN BLOUNT, 1390 CHERRY PLACE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE—Continued) The applicant should consider re-designing the plans to incorporate the following: 1. Re-design the southern deck to meet a 10' setback. 2. Reduce the amount of decks/porch on the property. 3. Reduce the amount of garage space, and if possible, driveway connected to it. 4. Consider a second story in an effort to reduce the footprint and hardcover. 5. Revise the plans for the 0-75' zone to only allow one access to the lake. 6. Submit more detailed plans for the railroad tie retaining wall restoration. Acting Chair Mabusth maintained that it would be difficult to pass the application on to City Council for review until further reductions were made and more detail supplied with regard to the 0-75' zone. Gundlach stated that the applicant did not wish to send the 0-75' improvements and the rebuild to Council separately,but hoped that the Planning Commission might be able to discuss the 75-250' zone and supply her with some direction. Blount stated that the current retaining walls in the 0-75' need to be replaced, since the railroad ties are failing. She explained that they had purchased the home with the intent to use it for their retirement home and preferred to keep the master bedroom on the main floor. Blount indicated that the additional garage space was necessary to house her husband's workshop and hobby area. In addition, she pointed out that the decks were intended to be kept within the setback zones. Acting Chair Mabusth questioned whether the driveway could be reduced to accommodate the two car garage excluding the workshop area. She asked the applicant whether they had considered building a new structure, as the costs of upgrading plumbing and electric can be excessive. Blount indicated that they had hoped to reuse the existing foundation,but would consider this. Rahn stated that he would like to see further reductions in hardcover, noting that the home meets setbacks in the current location. Although he would allow a stairway to the lake and retaining walls to help with drainage, he maintained that more details were necessary. In fact, Rahn questioned whether further reductions might be found in the 0-75' zone, if the slope was altered in order to potentially eliminate the need for the retaining walls. Gundlach suggested the Commission table this section of the application in order to allow the applicant to discuss their options with the City Engineer. PAGE 19 of 53