11/15/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 15,2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-3052 ERIC VOGSTROM, CONTINUED) Kempf stated the applicant has indicated the proposed hardcover does include hardcover for a driveway that would now be located on the lot rather than in the fire lane,which results in a reduction in the amount of total hardcover for this lot. Kempf stated the hardcover that is currently in the fire lane would not factor into what will be built on this lot. Rahn noted the hardcover that currently exists on this lot does not include a driveway. Kempf stated what happens in the fire lane does not factor into the amount of hardcover for this lot. Winkey indicated the applicant currently has a property that does not include a driveway in the amount of hardcover on the lot. Winkey stated the amount of hardcover being proposed by the applicant is similar to the amount that would be required if a driveway had been located on the property originally. Winkey stated realistically a driveway is required and the applicant should be granted some hardcover to accommodate that, which comes out to approximately 35 percent. Vogstrom stated overall the existing hardcover and future hardcover would be 1900 square feet less with the new proposal. Leslie stated the 690 square feet for the driveway is now presumed to be part of the lot and that the hardcover in the fire lane is not being added to the amount that would be allowed. Jurgens inquired what 690 plus the existing hardcover number comes out to. Vogstrom stated it would be 36.1 percent hardcover. Rahn stated due to the configuration of the lot and the two 0-75' zones, it only leaves 7,600 square feet in the 75-250' zone. Rahn stated the zones established by the City do not always work on lots similar to this property and that if the City only required a certain percentage be met, this discussion would probably not be necessary. Rahn noted due to the small amount of buildable land within the 75'-250' zone, the hardcover percentage would be larger than normal. Rahn indicated he does not feel the driveway can be reduced further. Essen inquired whether the hardcover on the right-of-way would be removed. Gaffron stated that issue should be reserved for the City Council and perhaps in conjunction with the Park Commission and the Public Works Department to determine what the function and potential use of the fire lane is and whether the existing hardcover needs to be there to serve some public purpose. Gaffron stated the final decision concerning the driveway in the fire lane should be up to the City Council. Essen indicated he would not be opposed to shifting the house five feet to the north and have a variance granted in order to give more room to deal with the water runoff on the south side of the house. PAGE 4