04-23-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 23, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. #12 -3546 TODD HOLMERS ONBEHALF OFMAPLE PLACE, LLC,1545 MAPLE PLACE, Continued) Gaffron stated he has not seen an actual figure and that they will be using some of the dirt from the pond that will be constructed. Gaffron stated it is doubtful that will be enough fill to grade around all the houses. Holmers stated Mark Gronberg feels it will be sufficient. Holmers indicated it is his understanding the southern two or three lots do not need much grading and that they will be able to use the dirt from the basements and the pond. McMillan asked if that would be good quality fill. Holmers indicated that has yet to be determined. McMillan asked if there are any wetlands on this property. Holmers indicated there are no wetlands on the property. C'j Steven Englund, 3855 Cherry Avenue, stated it was wetlands at one time and then filled in; which would not be allowed in today's settings. Englund stated he would like to know what it was filled in with and that it should be checked with soil borings. • Englund stated he is also confused on the setback for the first lot and asked what the setback would be. Gaffron indicated it would be 15 feet from the county road and that the City was given an exemption a number of years ago from the state statute. Englund commented it appears that they are picking and choosing which statutes to use. Gaffron stated the statutes relating to the setbacks from a county or state road were all chosen by the state and the City a number of years ago and that the City was granted an exemption from the 50 -foot setback. When it was brought to Staff s attention that there was this wording in the state statutes, Staff investigated it and found that the City was granted an exemption from the 50 -foot setback and that they have always granted a 30 or 35 -foot setback in similar situations. Englund asked why it is not a 30 or 35 -foot setback in this case. Gaffron stated that lot essentially has two fronts and that the street is considered a side street, which requires a 15 -foot side street setback. Gaffron indicated that leaves them 25 feet for a house width on that lot. Englund commented 15 feet off County Road 19 is not an ideal place to live. Printup commented in his view this development does change the character of the neighborhood and that he is tempted to make a motion to table this application but that he would like to come to some kind of • conclusion on this application tonight if possible. Page 12 of 16