05/17/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (11. #04-3012 ROGER D. O'SHAUGHNESSY, Continued) Chair Mabusth questioned if the applicant received copies of the two neighbors' letters and Curtis confirmed the letters were provided to the applicant. Chair Mabusth read into the record the following two letters: a. Joann Jundt, Southways, 1400 Brackett's Point Road, dated May 17,2004 b. James&Beverly Nyce, 1280 Brackett's Point, dated May 14, 2004 Roger O'Shaughnessy, 1265 Brackett's Point Road, advised he spoke with Joann Jundt on May 17, 2004 and told her that his engineer is confident the stormwater runoff patterns will not change,though may change temporarily during construction and that the design is intended to allow the same amount of flow as currently. He asked the City Engineer to confirm their storm water calculations. Curtis indicated the City Engineer has seen the plans but his comments have not yet been returned. Chair Mabusth asked if this application would be reviewed by the MCWD and Curtis indicated that it is under MCWD review. Mr. O'Shaughnessy acknowledged that the neighbors' letters, as well as comments he received from Pillsbury's, about the traffic at the driveway entrance. He described the heavily overgrown hedge that currently encroaches onto Brackett's Point Road. He explained their landscape plans will have plantings about 7-10' back from the road and can taper the planned vegetation to create a good view from driveway entrance for improved safety. He assured the Planning Commission he did not want to construct anything that was not safe and will rely on his landscape architect and the engineers to create a safe design. Chair Mabusth indicated the Public Services Director as part of the public roadway would review the new driveway access. Mr. O'Shaughnessy commented on the boardwalk idea and his interest in restoring his lakefront to a more natural environment with tall grasses and other features, including an elevated boardwalk allowing plantings underneath the boardwalk so as not to be wading through the tall grasses when walking through it. After reading Curtis' staff report,he asked his landscape architect to consider more mitigating features,including some spacing between decking boards and less width to reduce the size, and pulling the landing back from the shoreline to allow some plantings to improve viewability from the lake. He acknowledged he understands the concept of the boardwalk runs contrary to code and does not claim a hardship due to the flat elevation of his lot,but expressed his excitement to restore the lakefront to natural vegetation as a lake stewardship project rather than to mow the lawn to the lakefront. Mr. O'Shaughnessy explained the purpose of the fence on the road is not to close off the property but mainly to provide an option to have a dog to help control the large flocks of geese on the property. He pointed out the proposed mesh fence location intended to be buried instead the vegetation. Mr. O'Shaughnessy asked the Planning Commission to consider the boardwalk not as hardcover but as an environmental design feature compatible with the City's ultimate goal to have a community not developed fully at the lakefront. Chair Mabusth asked for information about the proposed water treatment beds. Mr. O'Shaughnessy explained the tall grasses tend to treat the surface water as it flows to the lake and dramatically drops organic material levels into the lake, and,that the tall grasses do not require herbicides or fertilizers so are environmentally friendly. Chair Mabusth asked for public comments. There were none. Leslie asked for information about the proposed guesthouse and requirements for a conditional use permit. Page 24 of 40