05-14-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 14, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. 7. #12 -3546 TODD HOLIVMRS ON BEHALF OF MAPLE PLACE, LLC,1545 MAPLE PLACE - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - RESOLUTION NO. 6138 Todd Holmers, Applicant, was present. Gaffron noted this application was tabled at the April 23rd City Council meeting after a lengthy discussion relating to drainage concerns, traffic impacts, congestion issues, and impacts on surrounding property values. The Council requested the applicant review the proposed building height impacts if they are calculated based on pre- existing grades and present a landscape plan. The applicants have submitted a revised set of elevations for floor levels and have determined that out of seven total lots, five lots can have basements that are lower into the ground and less in height. The new proposal results in five of the seven lots meeting the 2 -1/2 story limit. In addition, the proposed homes on the northerly five lots are proposed to be sunken deeper into the ground, leaving only Lots 8 and 9 with ` defined heights in excess of the 30 -foot limit. The applicant is requesting that for Lots 8 and 9, the final proposed grade be used for calculating building heights and story determinations. The alternative is that Lots 8 and 9 will have homes in which the upper level is reduced to meet the half -story definition and room heights and/or roof pitches lowered to meet the defined height limit of 30 feet. Gaffron noted the resolution before the City Council does not contain language that would grant a new grade for Lots 8 and 9 and would, in effect, be the same as granting a height variance. Gaffron noted the neighborhood residents had a meeting with the applicants last week. The applicants • have provided minimal landscape plans. In addition, the two house depictions shown tonight illustrate some landscaping but Staff is unsure whether that is exactly what is being proposed for those lots. Gaffron noted the applicant is proposing seven new individual homes as part of this application. An overall grading plan has been submitted and approved by the City Engineer. The grading plan does address the stormwater issues but does not necessarily establish new grade for each of the lots. Franchot asked why it wouldn't work to dig the hole deeper and drop the house down. Gaffron indicated it has to do with the outlet elevation for the existing culvert in the right -of -way and drainage into the catch basin and then to the outlets located at the beach. The applicant is not allowed to have an elevation below the level of the opening into the basement due to floodplain issues. The majority of the homes are proposed to be lookouts. McMillan asked if the applicants are proposing to keep the same grading plan as was originally proposed. Gaffron indicated they are. McMillan asked if the applicants still require the conditional use permit. Gaffron indicated.-they will require a CUP. If the conditional use permit is not granted, the applicants will need to meet the standards for each individual lot. Struve stated given the amount of drainage into the low area, if the drainage is done on an individual lot basis, it would be next to impossible to meet the storm water regulations, which is why it is being done • over the entire site. Page 7 of 16