05/17/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (13. #04-3015 ROBERT LUND ON BEHALF OF WILLIAM AND BONNIBEL BYERS,Continued) parking,pointing out the proposed driveway is smaller than the existing one. Other than reduce the house size, Mr. Byars concluded that hardcover had been minimized to the extent possible. Curtis confirmed there is 29.48 s.f. existing and 28.3 s.f. is proposed in the 75'-250' setback zone, and there would be removal of non-conforming hardcover in the 250'-500' setback zone. Chair Mabusth asked if a large tree would be lost with the new driveway. Mr. Lund replied that tree will be lost. Chair Mabusth commented that based on her site visit she thought there would be no negative impact to the neighbors with the proposed average lakeshore setback for the proposed `witch's hat' feature. The proposed second story deck is being expanded in a substandard setback but she did not think it would be a problem due to the tall trees and angle of the house. She stated the lakeshore improvements are necessary due to erosion and the ice ridge. Chair Mabusth concurred with the staff recommendation to reduce hardcover impacts, such as a proposing a smaller driveway turnaround area and narrowing the driveway width. She referred to City standards that could be applied and result in some hardcover reductions. Fritzler commented that the application is really going from a four-car garage to a three-car garage with two cars on the upper level and one car down on the lower level. He recommended a condition to allow installation of a 6' wide door to ensure the lower level does not become a garage stall but used only for storage. Mr. Byars responded there is no driveway proposed to the lower garage level and it would be used for storage of their sailboat. Mr. Lund indicated the lower level currently has a 7' door opening. Mr. Byars indicated he had no problem with a limitation to the door width for the lower level. Fritzler stated there needs to be a reduction in hardcover. Leslie concurred and indicated the driveway should be narrower to reduce hardcover. Also,he supported the rain garden concept but noted the landscape plan proposed a boardwalk,referring to the prior discussion held on Application#04-3012, Roger D. O'Shaughnessy, at 1265 Brackett's Point Road and their proposed boardwalk through a prairie restoration at the shoreline. He stated the Planning Commission needs to be consistent in their decisions and also it is a reminder about the contemporary need for further Planning Commission discussions on this issue. Curtis interjected the landscape plan proposes a stairway and not a boardwalk. Mr. Byars explained it is a stairway with an existing walkout that attaches to the deck with water; Mr. Lund stated the surveyor missed that and an addendum was added to the application. Rahn stated he agreed with staff that further hardcover reductions are necessary. Curtis confirmed that a total of 880 s.f. is the difference between 25% standard and 28.31%proposed hardcover. Chair Mabusth suggested the proposed 10'driveway could be trimmed down to 8' width in the 75'- 250'setback zone with relocation the driveway to still miss the well and still provide some parking but perhaps not have a driveway loop as means to reduce hardcover. Page 31 of 40