09/18/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF T� ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, September 18,2006 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#06-3224 Thomas and Rebecca Lowe, Continued) Lowe indicated they are reducing the hardcover down to 41.8 percent,which is a reduction of almost 20� percent,and eliminating all the hardcover in the 0-75' setback zone except for the stairway access down to the lake. Lowe clarified they are not adding a deck onto the house as depicted on the plans but that there is a deck within the existing footprint of the house. Lowe stated the patio is being constructed 1.5 feet below grade to satisfy the City's requirement for a full basement and that they would prefer not to construct it at that grade. Shanatt stated they have worked extensively with Staff to design a residence that would comply as much as possible with the City's codes and that they have been successful in reducing the hardcover in the 75-250' setback zone from 60.5 percent down to 40.83 percent,with the hardcover in the 0-75 foot setback also being reduced. The foundation is also in very poor condition and would require complete replacement. The hardship that exists in this situation is the pie-shaped lot,which results in a substantial amount of land within the 0-75 foot setback zone. Sharratt requested they not be required to consiruct the residence 1.5 feet below grade to meet the City's basement requirements. Lowe distributed pictures of the residence to the Planning Commission. Sharratt stated the house is proposed to be 63.2 feet long and they are proposing to retain the existing grade as much as possible. Sharratt illustrated on the overhead the 0-75 foot setback zone and the grade elevations. Shanatt indicated they are in agreement with the concerns of the City Engineer and would prefer to leave the grade as is to allow a walkout on the residence. Bremer pointed out the applicant would then be looking for a height variance since the house would be two stories plus a walkout. Bremer opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Bremer closed the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. Bremer stated she is happy that the applicants have met the City's structural coverage limit and that the Planning Commission has dealt with pie-shaped properties in the past and that the amount of hardcover � being proposed may seem excessive but in reality, due to the configuration of the lot,may not be too excessive. Bremer stated she would not be in favor of the height variance due to the massing and that the applicant should bury the house 1.5 feet if the City Engineer feels the drainage issues can be resolved. Rahn noted the land area within the 0-75 foot setback zone is almost the same as the land area in the 75- 250 foot zone. Rahn commented he is unsure how the 40 percent hardcover number was arrived at and � PAGE 2