08-25-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 25, 2003 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Sansevere asked Moorse how staff could streamline the process for this couple to obtain their permits and get the definition they need from us to proceed. Lipa stated that she had spoken to Moorse and asked, if they could not get on the agenda, if they should present their case to Council. Jones stated that Moorse indicated that the Planning Commission had given them a working half story definition to follow; however, Jones maintained that the definition continues to be incomplete, i.e. the stairway and deck issues. Sansevere asked Jones if he was not satisfied with the definition provided. Gaffron explained that the Planning Commission has been wrestling with the issues of height and massing over the past 1 '/z years, pointing out that the 'h story definition is just a small piece of that issue. He stated that, since 1967, the City has had a definition in place that limits building height to 30' or 2 % stories and absent a true definition of the half story, staff reviewed other cities'definitions and the architectural guide to find a standard which could be administered until the City could establish its own definition on the topic. Murphy asked what phase the Jones application was in. Gaffron stated that the Jones' went thru the variance process; however, he did not believe that the Planning Commission had heard their specific problems presented this evening. Sansevere asked the height of the proposed home. Jones indicated 30' by the City definition of height. Sansevere asked why the City could not simply look at the issue as a matter of height; therefore, allowing the applicant to proceed since he does not exceed the height limitation. Gaffron stated that, oftentimes, height depends on the topography of a lot. Lipa pointed out that liking or disliking the definition was not the issue. Lipa maintained that they had gone to great lengths, great costs and delay, trying to meet the City's `definition' of a half story. She reiterated the difficulty they have faced trying to calculate their half story where no calculation has been established, can they exclude the stairway or not etc. She indicated that their whole experience has been awful and they do not want others to have to go through this same process. White pointed out that there is a hole in the lot now waiting to have a home built upon it. He believed it would benefit the city to see them get a nice home put up to replace the ugly old shack there currently. Attorney Barrett asked for clarification, noting the applicant had not requested a variance for height and has met the 30' height requirement including the half story. • Page 6 of 14