08/21/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,August 21,2006 6:00 o'clock p.m. #06-3210 Steven Webster and Sandra Larson, Continued) There were no public comments regarding the application. Bremer closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Rahn moved,Bremer seconded,to recommend approval of Application#06-3210, Steven and Jo Webster,500 Orono Orchard Road South,and Kent and Sandra Larson,540 Orono Orchard Road South,vacation of an alley and lot line rearrangement,subject to staff conditions outlined in the August 16,2006 Planner's report. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. 6. #06-3220 JULE AND ELIZABETH HANNAFORD, 1220 BRACKETTS POINT ROAD, VARIANCE—7:05 P.M.-7:58 P.M. Elizabeth Hannaford,Applicant,and Herb Baldwin,Landscape Architect,were present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting 0-75-foot and 75-250-foot hardcover variances as well as a lake setback variance in order to replace the existing lakeside deck with a new,lower-profile deck and remove hardcover within the 0-75-foot zone. The existing deck encroaches almost completely into the 75-foot setback as a result of the location of the home,which has existed on the property since 1954. The applicant is proposing to remove the existing deck as well as a two-foot wide concrete path to the lake and other miscellaneous hardcover. Planning Staff recommends approval of variances in order to rebuild the lakeside deck and rear entry stoop;however,the applicant should be directed to reduce both the size of the deck and the level of hardcover on the property as a whole. Staff recommends denial of the lake setback variance to allow a greater encroachment towards the lake. Baldwin stated this project began with the issue of the deck and its need for repair. It was a pre-existing deck at the time the Hannafords purchased the property approximately 11 years ago. Both decks are in need of repair. The Hannafords are planning to remove the existing cedar decking and would be using � ironwood,which is an extremely hard and serviceable deck and will probably outlast the house. The deck is one of the things the property owners feel is important to the property. Baldwin indicated the Hannafords have a large family and use the entire deck. Baldwin illustrated on the overhead the access to the proposed deck and the deck that exists. Baldwin stated what currently happens is that the traffic is funneled onto the walkway and that they are proposing to lower the profile of the deck another six inches and utilizing wider steps to allow the people access to the grass at all points along the deck rather than focusing the traffic in one area. The amount of hardcover would be reduced from what currently exists. Baldwin explained the dry, stacked bluestone walls that currently exist are not retaining walls and are there as buffers. Baldwin indicated privacy is a problem and they are proposing a low wall with some PAGE 8