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NIINIJTES OF THE ' <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 15,2007 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#07-3305 Lake Country Builders,Inc.,Continued) <br /> Dick Ogle,2771 Shadywood Road, indicated he spoke with the applicant approximately two months <br /> ago and has viewed the applicant's lot vYith his wife. The project seems to be a good idea and he is <br /> interested in improving the appearance of the lot. Ogle indicated they are totally in favor of the project. <br /> Richard Gay, 2735 Shadywood Road, stated basically the view they have of the property is the most <br /> glaring of any of the neighbors that have a view of Mr.Zimmerman's house and that their view is not <br /> negatively impacted by what is being proposed. Gay stated as far as the impact on the neighbors,the <br /> fact that this property is well screened,there would be very little impact to them and that the project will <br /> improve the overall appearance of the property and generate additional tax dollars for the City. Gay <br /> expressed surprise that the Planning Commission was not totally in support of the project at the last <br /> Planning Commission meeting and encouraged the Commission to approve Mr.Zimmerman's <br /> application. <br /> Chair Kempf closed the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. <br /> Kempf stated one of the issues that should be discussed is the following language contained in the <br /> Planner's Report,which says: "Procedurally speaking,it would be correct to make the assumption since <br /> the applicant followed the direction given by the maj ority of the Commissioners at the August meeting, <br /> as long as that direction was followed,the Planning Commission would move it on to the Council with <br /> an approval recommendation. This did not happen. While there is no legal obligation for the second <br /> group of Commissioners to honor the direction g-iven by the first group of Commissioners, Staff would <br /> encourage follow through for not only the sake of consistency but in order to give applicants a fair and <br /> predictable process. This particular process so far appears arbitrary. Staff would encourage the <br /> Commission to discuss this application in light of what has transpired procedurally and make a <br /> reasonable recommendation to the Council." <br /> Zullo stated she appreciates a couple of the neighbors being in attendance at tonight's meeting and <br /> aclrnowledged that the property is well screened. Zullo noted the issue that has to be considered by the <br /> Planning Commission is the amount of hardcover on the property regardless of the amount of screening. <br /> In looldng at the property,the hardcover is currently at 24 percent and is being put to reasonable use. <br /> Zimmerman stated as long as the driveway exists and the fire depariment requires it to be in that <br /> location,they are limited in how they can develop this property. <br /> Zullo stated the applicant did purchase the property with the driveway already in existence and that he <br /> was aware of the limitations of the property. <br /> Zimmerman noted they are not increasing the overall hardcover on the lot. <br /> Curtis stated the applicants are proposing to reduce the driveway by approximately 1,000 square feet, <br /> which,to her lrnowledge, still leaves the driveway at a width of 14 to 15 feet. <br /> Zimmerman stated they have not heard back from the fire department on their proposed changes. <br /> Zimmerman stated he is unsure whether there is a law that requires him to have the driveway at 14 feet <br /> and that they would like to make the changes to reduce the hardcover on the lot. <br /> PAGE 4 <br />