11-14-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 14, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. I1 -3528 TIMOTHYAND DANIELLE KOEHLER, 4205 NORTHSHORE DRIVE, Continued) Rahn commented he does have an issue with the piece up by the road and that the difficulty by service trucks accessing their driveway is really not a legitimate argument. Rahn stated he finds it hard to believe that service people would drive down that driveway, but to actually have a pad to turn around a service vehicle is not a legitimate request. Rahn stated in his view the Council will be inundated with these types of requests if this one is approved for that reason. Rahn noted the request should be based on something that is peculiar to this lot. Koehler commented it is an incredibly nonfunctional driveway and that they are attempting to make the driveway more functional. Rahn stated he does not mind improving the driveway turnaround piece, but that there is always more to it than just the driveway not being functional. Rahn noted there obviously had to be a good reason for the previous council to limit that higher zone to 26 or 27 percent.,_ Koehler commented they probably were trading off hardcover. Rahn commented he is not sure why three or four years later these applications are coming back asking for another two or three percent. Rahn asked if there was a turnaround included in the original approval. Koehler stated they constructed it in the wrong place, and when you back into it in the winter, your vehicle tends to turn sideways and down the driveway. Curtis illustrated the turnaround area and the driveway. Rahn stated that looks functional and asked if that is the location of the turnaround. Koehler stated it is the location of the turnaround but that the driveway is very steep and you start to slide down the driveway when you back into the turnaround. There is also a cut -out that makes it difficult to navigate the turn, especially with a large vehicle. They are attempting to make a different turnaround in an area that is not as steep so you can back up. Rahn commented he is okay with that turnaround but that he would like to limit the hardcover in the 250- 500 foot zone. McMillan asked how many garage stalls there are. Koehler stated there are two garage stalls. The driveway configuration is difficult to navigate and two - tiered. Koehler stated in his view the Planning Commission understood the difficulty of navigating the driveway with a large vehicle and that there are practical difficulties associated with the driveway. Rahn noted in the 75 -250 foot zone the applicant is looking for less than a one percent increase. Bremer noted Staff said the hardcover would be subject to the survey and that Staff would bring it back to the Council if it exceeded a certain amount. Bremer asked what that number would be. Page 8 of 16 • •