07-22-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 22, 2002 • 6:30 o'clock p.m. 07) #02 -2791 DAVEAND JODI RAD7V,1385 REST POINT ROAD - VARIANCES - Continued actually, the area as proposed is about 41 %. To answer the question, would staff have supported this, there are other approvals in the neighborhood that have more hardcover than this lot, with somewhat recent approvals within the past five years. However, in most of those cases the property owners did not actually increase the amount of hardcover on their property, but instead were likely allowed to trade existing hardcover, that existed prior to the ordinances, in order to trade -off for new hardcover. This said, Weinberger stated that staff would not necessarily have recommended approval just because they did not have 15% structural coverage. Weinberger maintained that hardcover and massing are important elements to think about, because if every lot were allowed to develop to 15 %, there would be no need for the hardcover ordinance. Murphy asked why, in past variances, were they told in such strong language they could not have any additional hardcover ever. Murphy asked how the applicant planned to use the existing garage that would become a shed. Rahn indicated that it was his intention to remove the existing driveway. The garage would maintain its overhead door and likely become storage for a car or boat. Green space or mulch would occupy the space where the driveway had been and they would bring the boat or car out a couple of times a year. He stated that the driveway was class 5 and would likely be difficult to remove even after digging down three feet, but they would do so. Murphy asked if class 5 was considered hardcover. Weinberger stated that class 5 is considered hardcover, if it is driven on and compacted by vehicles. The applicant would be required to remove the class 5 and replace it with grass. Murphy asked if the garage would still be considered a garage and hardcover as a function of the applicants continued use. He questioned whether the City allows a garage to sit in the middle of a property with no bituminous roadway to it, but allow access to it, and the access not be considered hardcover. Weinberger stated that these exist, as in the case of pole buildings. The idea is that if the building does not have a driveway, the City has not considered it a garage and it has not been a concern. With the situation on this property, and in past history, where you have a garage that looks like a garage, the City has found that people will tend to plow them in winter and use them as driveways and garages. That would be staff s concern. He noted that if the building were actually converted to something else, without a garage door, that would eliminate that concern. Murphy asked why it was stated that no additional hardcover shall ever be allowed. • PAGE 10 of 35