11-13-2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, November 13, 2007 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. #07 -3305 LAKE CO UNTR Y B UILDERS ON BEHALF OF JAMES ZIMMERMAN, 2 745 SHADYWOOD ROAD, Continued) options forward. Both of these options generally met the direction given at the previous meeting. Only one of the Commissioners at the September meeting was in attendance at the previous meeting. Upon reviewing the applicant's revised proposal, the Commission generally felt that the applicant's request was unreasonable and discussed denial. The applicant was taken by surprise at this conclusion, and rather than having the application denied by the Planning Commission, requested their application be tabled. At the October Planning Commission meeting, the applicants again presented their revised options. The Planning Commission discussed the revised options with the applicant. The Planning Commission and the applicant wanted clarification on the fire marshal's requirements for driveway widths and other items. Additionally, the applicant brought up a number of potential solutions to address the driveway hardcover overage, specifically pervious pavers or grass pavers. The Planning Commission voted 5 -1 to recommend. approval of the request as long as the existing-hardcover level was not exceeded and resulted in a driveway configuration that the fire marshal would approve. The dissenting commissioner felt that the further encroachment toward the lake was excessive. r .• The applicant has provided revised plans which incorporate the driveway specifications required by the fire marshal. Due to removing the curve in the driveway, the applicant has provided a revised request for the garage portion of the home. The revision results in a straightening out of the garages, where previously the line of the house was more "stepped" to follow the curve in the driveway. This revision in the house footprint results in an additional 231 square feet of structural coverage changing the a percentage from 13.6 percent to 14.3 percent. Staff recommends denial of the lake setback variances as proposed as a further encroachment toward the lake is not reasonable. Staff is supportive of hardcover variances that do not result in an increase in total hardcover. Curtis noted the 120 -day application review period expires on November 18'b and that the applicant will need to provide a written request to extend it an additional 60 days. Zimmerman stated he has resided on the property for over 13 years, with the house being built in 1959. The residence currently consists of 2,900 square feet. The property contains a boathouse and the lot is considered nonconforming. The objectives for this project were to design something that was better for Lake Minnetonka and the environment, would be supported and embraced by the neighbors, would fit in and be appropriate for the site and the neighborhood, and would improve the value of the property. Zimmerman indicated he has worked with the DNR to develop their lakeside vegetation plan, and following that work a few years back, he has added a significant amount of shoreline vegetation to the property. With almost 600 feet of shoreline, rain gardens would be a significant benefit to Lake Minnetonka. The plan is also hardcover neutral, and with the incorporation of the rain gardens, would be significantly better for the lake. Zimmerman pointed out on the overhead the areas of the proposed rain gardens. Zimmerman indicated he has been in contact with all his neighbors, who are supportive of the project, and that he is not aware of any opposition by any of the neighbors to what he is proposing. The neighbors feel the plans are appropriate. The proposal helps to modernize the home and improve the PAGE 2 of 14