01/17/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,January 17,2006 6:00 o'clock p.m. (Recess taken at 7:27 p.m.—7:33 p.m.) OLD BUSINESS 4. MARK AND PAMELA PALM, 1447 PARK DRIVE, VARIANCE, 7:33 P.M.—7:50 P.M. Mark Palm,Applicant,was present. Gaffron stated the applicant is requesting a number of variances to replace an attached garage. The Planning Commission did review this application previously and had made a number of suggestions to the applicant. The applicant is requesting a hardcover variance to permit 34.51 percent hardcover within the 75-250' zone where 25 percent is normally allowed and 38 percent currently exists; two, a hardcover variance to permit 57 percent hardcover within the 250'-500 zone where 30 percent is normally allowed and 49.5 percent currently exists; and three, a side yard setback variance to permit a side yard setback of five feet where 15 feet is normally required for a detached building in excess of 750 square foot and a 1.5 foot setback currently exists. The applicant submitted a revised survey in early December with revised hardcover calculations submitted on January 6"'. The City Engineer has reviewed the revised survey and has provided comments contained in Exhibit C. From Staff's perspective,the revised plan does not address any of the issues noted on the Planning Commission Action Notice except for moving the garage closer to the road but not to the 15 feet suggested by Staff. The applicant has not reduced the size of the garage to less than 750 square feet or met a 10-foot setback. Staff recommends the application be tabled to allow the applicant to incorporate the recommendations of the Planning Commission at their last meeting. Palm stated this application has been going on since 2002, and he has had many discussions with Staff concerning his application. Palm stated he had to delay action on his application due to the 10,000 square foot house constructed next doar and the water runoff issues. Palm indicated those issues have since been resolved by the installation of a gutter. Palm stated he did not want to proceed further on the garage until those issues were addressed, which has resulted in some delay in his application. Palm indicated as far as not complying with the requirements,he had the understanding he did provide what was required to Planner Gundlach. Palm stated Gronberg was retained and those surveys were supposed to have been provided to the City. Palm stated his situation is unique in that there is a hill coming in and out of the driveway,which makes it difficult to maneuver a car into a garage when it is icy or snowy out. Palm stated the rock wall that was constructed was for decoration but that he would be willing to alter it if need be in order to push the PAGE 11