10/18/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 18, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-3024 City of Orono,Vehicle Storage, Continued) Gaffron stated Staff has not conducted a specific inventory to determine that,but in the few instances they are aware of the lots are generally large enough that they should be able to meet a 50-foot setback. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to leave the 50-foot setback as is. Bremer recommended the second"potential"in(c)(2)be eliminated and the ampersand between wear and tear be changed to the word"and". Rahn moved,Fritzler seconded,to recommend approval of the proposed amendment to Section 78-1577(c) regarding exterior storage in R Districts, establishing a one-time permit for pre- existing users to continue the storage of large vehicles under certain conditions. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0 3. #04-3052 ERIC VOGSTROM,2618 CASCO POINT ROAD—VARIANCES, 6:17 p.m. —6:36 p.m. Eric Vogstrom, Applicant,was present. Curtis noted this application was before the Planning Commission at its September meeting and was tabled to allow the applicant time to redesign his plan in an effort to reduce hardcover on the lot. Since that time the applicant has submitted another plan and is now requesting a hardcover variance for 38.9 percent hardcover within the 75-250' setback zone, a variance for side street setback of 10 feet where a 15-foot setback from the adjacent right-of-way is normally required, and an average lakeshore setback variance to encroach 5 five nearer to the lake than the property to the south. Curtis stated since the time of the last meeting the applicant has also removed a number of trees from the property without city permit. Curtis noted the adjacent neighbor has submitted a letter regarding his concerns with this proposal. Staff recommends approval of the average lakeshore setback variance and denial of the side street setback variance and denial of the hardcover variance as proposed as there are no hardships to support the variances as requested. In addition, Staff is recommending approval of any variances be made contingent upon approval of a restoration plan to remedy the vegetation removal on the property. Rahn asked for public comment concerning this application. Jeff Essen, 2648 Casco Point Road, indicated he had met with the applicant prior to last month's Planning Commission and discussed his original plan and the concerns he had regarding drainage, trimming of trees,protection of established trees, and off street parking. Essen stated Vogstrom indicated at that time that he was agreeable to installing gutters and downspouts, drain tile, and PAGE 4