08/18/2008 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,August 18,2008 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#08-3367 TOM AND PAT KUBALAK,2623 CASCO POINT ROAD,CONTINUED) Turner indicated it is not and illustrated on the overhead the location of the Kubalak residence and their two neighbors. Schoenzeit asked where Staff would like to see the house located. Turner stated in order to meet the 15 percent structural coverage and 25 percent hardcover limits,you would have to locate the house much closer to the street. Schoenzeit stated in his view the 15 percent structural coverage allows a reasonably sized house and that the applicants should look at the location of the house in an effort to reduce the hardcover. Patty Kubalak pointed out the existing garage is located eight feet from the street. Schoenzeit commented he is not suggesting that the house be located right at the street setback but that it could be located closer to the street to reduce some of the hardcover. Kempf stated the average lakeshore setback is an important consideration for a house located on Lake Minnetonka and that it is a design decision the applicants will need to make. Kang commented she does concur with the applicants that to locate the house 16 feet from the street would create a safety issue and that it should be located further away. Rice noted there would still be a reasonable use of the house and lot if the hardcover is reduced further to the 29 percent being recommended by Staff. Schoenzeit asked how many feet the house would need to be moved closer to the street in order to meet the hardcover requirement. Tom Kubalak commented if they relocate their house to conform to the 29 percent hardcover, it would move it closer to the street by approximately 30 feet,which would be into the middle of the adjoining structure and would impact their sightlines of the lake. Turner stated the house would be sitting behind the neighbor's house,particularly the house to the south. Kempf stated he understands the applicants would probably prefer not to do that,but suggested the applicants look at perhaps a combination of relocating the house and reducing the hardcover in some other fashion. Kempf asked whether the applicants would like their application tabled or have it proceed to a vote. Kempf noted the Planning Commission is an advisory body to the city council and that the City Council could grant the additional hardcover even if the Planning Commission recommends denial. Turner commented the applicants may encounter a few more drainage problems if the house were relocated given the small size of the lot. PAGE 3