07/20/2009 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING � July 20,2009 , 6:30 o'clock p.m. � (#09-3417 STEPHEN&SUSAN MOSELEY, 1635 BOHNS POINT ROAD,CONTINUED) Kempf commented he understands the concerns of Commissioners Bennett and Rice but that given the character of the rest of the neighborhood,this house is not excessive. ' Schoenzeit noted the addition is not located on the lakeside of the home and that in his view the proposed addition is reasonable given the neighborhood. ' Bennett stated given the mass of the proposed structure versus what currently exists, changes could be made to bring the structure more into compliance. ; Kempf concurred the overhang is very close to the lakeshore. Kempf moved,Schoenzeit seconded,to recommend approval of Application 309-3417,Stephen and Susan Moseley, 1635 Bohns Point Road,granting of a variance to the average lakeshore setback and a variance to the lakeshore setback,subject to relocating the garage stall to eliminate a portion of the retaining wall,elimination of the lower deck,require pervious paving for all sidewalk and patio hardcover wherever possible,and to require a covenant be put into place to protect the elusting trees. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 3,Bennett,Rice,and Kang opposed. Kang indicated she was not in favor of the application given the close location of the structure to the lake and the negative impact it would have on the lake. Kang encouraged the applicants to reduce the hardcover and structural coverage as much as possible. i 5. 09-3418 DENI�TIS BATTY ON BEHALF OF BROOK INVESTMENT GROUP,LLC,3421- 3425 SHORELINE DRIVE,COMIVIERCIAL SITE PLAN WITH VARIANCES,8:03 P.M.—9:21 P.M. Dennis Batty,Architect, and Irfan Habib,Property Owner,was present. , Curtis noted this application appeared before the Planning Commission previously as a concept plan. The applicant is requesting approval of their proposal to enlarge the existing commercial building with additions to each end. The request includes several variances. ', Staff notes this applicant has not changed from the concept application and that it is Staff's feeling that what is being proposed is simply too much for this site. There is no space for adequate parking or landscaping. If there are not enough parking spaces,customers will park in the 3465 Shoreline Drive parlcing lot,on Kelly Avenue, and/or in the Lund's parking lot. The pavement of Kelly Avenue is only 28 feet wide,not wide enough for on-street parking. There may be congestion as drivers look for a parking space. Eventually businesses may move or close if the parldng is inadequate. The site plan shows a deficiency of 23 parldng spaces. '� Landscaping, especially adjacent to a street,is important to creating an attractive commercial area. Trees, in particular,have many environmental benefits. Not only do they provide shade,filter the air, and buffer noise, a recent innovation is to have the runoff from parking areas flow into landscaped areas planted with trees. The landscaping, especially the trees, absorbs the runoff. The majority of the proposed landscaped areas are minimal and are too small to sustain the plant materials for any length of time.' I PAGE 12 �