Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE ' <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 15,2007 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#07-3317 Dan Hessburg,Continued) <br /> Last fall during the inspection process, Orono's building inspector noted that the site grading and <br /> hardcover did not match the approved grading plan and the hardcover exceeded approved levels. <br /> Additionally,the applicant conduced grading within the 0-75 foot zone to construct an unpermitted lake <br /> access stair. <br /> Today's as-built survey reflects excesses in hardcover within the 0-75 foot zone,fihe 75-250 foot zone, <br /> and the 250-500 foot zones. Within the 0-75 foot zone where an existing wooden staircase was,a new <br /> staircase and retaining walls have been constructed, which adds to the hardcover. Hardcover within the <br /> 0-75 foot zone is now at 6.8 percent and 30.3 percent hardcover within the 75-250 foot zone. The <br /> applicant altered the approved grading plan by conducting unpermitted grading,installing unpermitted <br /> boulder retaining walls, and installing an unpermitted underground drain tile system. The City's <br /> Engineer has reviewed the plans submitted after-the-fact by the applicant's landscape contractor <br /> regarding the drain tile system. <br /> In addition,the applicant has installed downspouts that drain to the underground drain tile system, <br /> which prevents the excess water from draining off of the roof and across the site. However,any <br /> proposed excesses in hardcover or significant changes to an approved plan should first be discussed <br /> with the Planning Commission and consideration should be given to City Council approved plans. <br /> Staff is asking the Planning Commission for a determination on whether there should be hardcover <br /> reductions required in an effort to be consistent with the previously approved variance for the lot or <br /> whether the applicant has provided the minimal hardcover necessary in order to mitigate the <br /> discrepancies in the survey and the house plans. The Planning Commission may,if they determine the <br /> changes made to the site plan by the applicant are reasonable, forward a recommendation for approval <br /> to the City Council. Should the Planning Commission feel that there are areas for hardcover reduction, <br /> the applicant should be given very specific direction. � <br /> Hessburg stated at the time the original plan was submitted,the actual proposed house came within one <br /> inch of the walkout level and two inches of the garage. What was unforeseen was the neighbor on the <br /> easterly side had approximatelyl2 full-grown pine trees and they were unable to grade the lot as <br /> originally designed so a boulder wall was constructed in an effort to preserve those trees and complete <br /> the final grading. <br /> Hessburg stated he has removed the boulder wall and the landings and put the grade back to what it was <br /> originally. Approximately 300 feet of four-inch drain tile was installed to help with the runoff. The <br /> engineer has written a letter to the City stating that the drain tile exceeds what the City requires. He <br /> was requested by the engineer to install two more clean-outs and two more pop-outs,which has been <br /> completed,and he has regraded the whole front yard in conformance with the recommendations of the <br /> City Engineer. Hessburg stated the last city engineer to view the property has indicated that the <br /> property is acceptable and that he was told he should apply for an after-the-fact variance. <br /> Chair Kempf opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Kempf olosed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. <br /> PAGE 8 <br />