07-11-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 11, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (5. #10 -3479 PHILLIP WHIPPLE, 3095 CASCO POINT ROAD, Continued) Curtis stated the topography in that area has somewhat directed the design of the driveway due to the steepness and the ability to access the garage. Whipple stated it is a very steep driveway, which creates problems in the wintertime, and that they are attempting to retain as much driveway as possible for safety reasons. It is very difficult to maneuver and to get a snowplow in there. Rahn stated the end result with this project will be two garages that are the size of four car garages. Rahn asked what the practical difficulty would be for the second detached garage. Rahn stated in his opinion some hardcover should be removed since they are over on their hardcover. Whipple stated basically the garage is for a vintage car collection. They are attempting to have a place to store them on the property versus off site. Rahn commented the City Council will need to keep in mind future applications. Rahn noted the applicant is reducing hardcover on the site by two percent and that they are no longer talking about hardship anymore but rather practical difficulty. Rahn noted in the past the City has not considered something like this. Rahn stated they have at times recommended a snow melt system in order to reduce the amount of • hardcover. Rahn stated in his view there are other options that could be explored. Rahn commented he did visit the site and that it seems the whole upper area is a parking lot. Rahn stated he does not see how it would make it a safer driveway since the applicant could still have a pad in front of the garage. Mike Sharratt, Designer, stated it is not a full 60 -foot diameter but that it does act as a turnaround and would serve as parking for guests. Sharratt noted that area is existing and that they have taken a portion of the driveway out already. Sharratt commented he is not sure a modification can be made to the driveway. From the garage down to the road is approximately a 14 percent slope. Rahn stated he understands how turnarounds work but that he does not see a need for that much driveway. Rahn reiterated that in his view the hardcover should be reduced further with new construction and that he is not sure when or if the City went away from requiring new construction to meet all hardcover requirements. Rahn asked what the practical difficulty is for allowing the deck to remain in the 0 -75 foot zone. Whipple noted it serves as storage for the dock equipment and is existing. Bremer commented that is more of a legal analysis based on a case a number of years ago where the City does not require the removal of legal nonconforming structures. Rahn stated historically the City has not allowed those items to remain. Rahn indicated he is attempting to figure out why that would now be allowed. Rahn asked if the City currently has driveway standards. Page 6 of 19