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 LASE CO UNTR Y B UILDERS ON BEHALF OF JAMES ZIMMERMAN, 2745 SHADYWOOD ROAD, Continued) Curtis stated the applicants have done a great job of maintaining the hardcover on the property and allowing for emergency vehicle access. White asked what the difference in hardcover is between the proposed driveway and what currently exists. Graton indicated there is approximately a 20 percent reduction in the driveway under what they are proposing. Rahn stated the major difference with the deck is the railing is being turned to face the point and that he does not have an issue with that. The larger issue is the further protrusion into the setbacks, noting that the structure is going from 24 feet to 21.5 feet in one setback and 35 feet to 25 feet in another setback, which he is not in support of. McMillan stated she agrees with the comments made by Commissioner Rahn. Bremer commented this lot is a challenging property and that any person who has lived in this house would be frustrated by the limitations of the lot and that in her view. this is a hardship lot given the very limited amount of buildable space on the lot. Bremer noted this lot was in existence prior to the laws regulating hardcover. Bremer stated if there was indeed an enclosed porch on the structure in the past, it is unfortunate the City does not have records to substantiate that. Bremer stated she likes the rain gardens that are being proposed and that she would make it a condition to add rain gardens on both sides of the driveway, which the applicant has indicated he is willing to do. Zimmerman stated he is willing to try to mitigate any negative aspect of the plan to make it more beneficial to the environment. The deck is proposed to come off the multi - purpose room and allows access into the house, which is also over existing hardcover. Murphy stated he would concur with the comments of Councilor Bremer and that this lot is one of the more unique lots on the lake and that the applicant is limited in what he can do. The fact that this plan is hardcover neutral and the structural coverage is below 15 percent, he is not troubled by what is being proposed for the most part. Murphy suggested some gutters and down spouts be considered to capture even more of the runoff prior to it hitting the ground. Zimmerman indicated they would be agreeable to adding the gutters and downspouts. McMillan stated in her view some of the second story balconies and decks help contribute to the massing and that a compromise would be to eliminate a portion of the second story. Zimmerman stated one component that would need to be considered is the visual balancing of the • structure but that they would be willing to look at reducing that. • White stated he also feels that a portion of the second story deck should be reduced. • Zimmerman indicated he is planning to reside in the house for a number of years. PAGE 4 of 14