01-27-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 27, 2003 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. ( #02 -2860 SUNSTATE CONCEPTS, Continued) Gaffron concurred, stating that a rebuild would not be allowed to remain since it would not meet septic guidelines. This application is the same, there is a conforming system, however no alternate site for the septic. Murphy asked what would happen to the remaining piece of driveway /garage slab with construction. As he was trying to watch expenses, Gorr stated that the excavator would remove the whole slab and reuse the existing foundation. With regard to the potential for a future trail through the neighborhood, Murphy felt they could not allow the home to be built any closer to the rail corridor. Gorr felt the rail, the wetland, and the proximity of the cul -de -sac provided him with adequate hardship trying to build on this property. In addition, Gorr felt the 2 -acre zoning district was inaccurate. Gaffron stated that the City purposefully chose that zoning to disallow dividing lots. He • agreed, were the lot in the 1 -acre zone, the applicant would merely need to meet a 10' side setback and 35' front setback. • White concurred with the Planning Commission recommendation requiring the applicant to hook up to municipal sewer. He was concerned that, if the applicant did not do so, the new owners would be saddled with an unexpected problem. Gorr pointed out that the sewer inspector had led him to believe that there was no requirement requiring him to abandon the existing conforming system if he stayed with a four bedroom home. He argued that he wasn't even aware that the sewer was in question until Wednesday of last week when he went before the Planning Commission. In fact, he maintained that he had spoken to Paul Weinberger and Lyle Oman prior to purchasing the property regarding these issues. Gaffron stated that staff tries to answer the public's questions, but on occasion, the final determination cannot be made until all of the facts are considered. Gaffron reiterated that staff was currently proposing what they felt to be the right thing to do. Sansevere agreed that the only reason for pause, might be that the applicant believed he could keep the existing septic and bought the home on that premise. Sansevere asked Gaffron if he felt strongly that this be the recommendation. PAGE 23 of 28