10/16/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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� MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMIVIISSION �Monday,October 16,2006 � 6:00 o'clock p.m. ' (#06-3234 and 06-3235,Daniel Hessburg,Continued) � Staff has met with the applicant vario�s times over the summer to research development possibilities on + 4725 and 4731 North Shore Drive. 4731 North Shore Drive consists of two individual parcels physically separated by 4725 North Shore Drive. This unique situation is compounded by the extreme topography of both properties. The applicant has proposed to combine the eastern lot of 4731 with the adjacent 47251ot,rearranging the western lot line of 4725 to make the eastern lot of 4731 ten feet wider,which would result in 4731 becoming a 60-foot wide lot and 4725 becoming a 76;foot lot and creating better buildable areas on both lots. Variances are still necessary due to the resulting lot areas and widths, as well as for side street setback,rear setback,hardcover within the 75-250 foot zone and bluff setbacks. , At the request of Hennepin County and in order to minimize the curb cuts onto the busy county road,the applicant has proposed a shared driveway to access both sites. The driveway will center approximately on the lot line and access each side-loading garage. The proposed driveway has a grade ranging from 12 percent to 20 percent. The City Engineer has indicated that the steepness of the driveway should be re-evaluated and revised to allow for a 20-foot area directly off the roadway with a slope no greater than 2 percent if possible. The location of the house and driveway on the western lot(4731) does not allow for a 20-foot deep apron to be located entirely on the 4731 property and outside the shared drive aisle. The applicant has indicated he will install a shared tram system to access the lakeshore,which incorporates a small stair in order to minimize slope impacts. � Staff recommends approval of the subdivision of a lot line rearrangement with street vacation and variances to allow replacement of the existing two homes on lots that are more equal in size than the current configuration subject to, one,compliance with the recommendations of the City Engineer; two, the homes meeting the City's height requirement of 30 feet and 2.5 stories; three, submittal of easements for the shared driveway and shared tramway. Hessburg stated Staff has been very helpful with their application. Meyer stated by having both of these properties for sale at one time and being able to develop them both simultaneously a much more complementary development can be achieved. Kroeger stated in his opinion it would be more ideal to combine the lots and construct one house rather than two homes. Kempf inquired what the situation is with the driveway. � Hessburg stated he met with a representative from the County and his recommendation is to construct one driveway from County Road 19. Kempf commented he is in favor of the shared driveway,noting that it would reduce the amount of hardcover on the lots. Kempf noted the city Engineer has recommended that the steepness of the PAGE 2