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.' 11 -3528 TIMOTHYAND DANIELLE KOEHLER, 4205 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) Curtis indicated she would like the Council to tell Staff what number they would be comfortable with. Franchot stated the Planning Commission put a fair amount of time into this application and the majority of the commissioners had visited the property prior to the meeting. Franchot noted the City has had a number of unanimous Planning Commission recommendations that the City Council has not followed, which in his view is a problem. The Planning Commission is the group that the Council has asked to look at these applications from a technical perspective and that it is concerning to him that the Council is doing the work of the Planning Commission with some of these questions. Franchot commented he has a strong inclination to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission since their recommendation seems reasonable and rational based on their visit to the site. Bremer stated she is in agreement with Council Member Franchot. Given the public hearing process at the Planning Commission level, there is more opportunity to obtain input from other people. Bremer noted she has read the previous resolution and that it is difficult to glean from that what the rationale was of the previous City Council. Bremer commented she does not remember this application and that the City Council needs to remain vigilant that they do not design projects for people, but yet they need to ensure that they do not allow something to be built that is not feasible. . • Koehler stated they purchased the home from a builder who had rented the home out. Based on how the home was maintained, it was obvious the renters did not care about the home. Koehler stated he will not be coming back next year and requesting more hardcover. They are the first homeowners that have attempted to try to resolve some of these issues. McMillan stated since the Council does not have definite hardcover numbers for the 250 -500 foot zone, she would like to stay with the numbers listed in the resolution. McMillan indicated she is fine with the practical difficulties regarding the stone wall,and the practical difficulties for the 250 -500 foot zone but that the hardcover should remain at what is included in the resolution. Koehler stated they would not be able to do the project then. Koehler indicated they were halfway through the project when work was stopped by the City and that they have spent a number of months working with Staff in an effort to comply with the City's regulations. The contractor has structured this project for the way it was designed and approved by the Planning Commission. They would have to start over if they are required to change the hardcover. Franchot commented he does not understand the issue raised by the Mayor. Rahn stated the issue is the lack of accurate hardcover numbers. Koehler stated it would not even be close to one percent. McMillan noted the City has had other situations where property owners were not even allowed to have a patio because they were over on their hardcover. McMillan commented she does not take these • applications lightly. Koehler noted he is $10,000 into this project and he has nothing to show for it. Page 9 of 16