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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> Eric Zehnder stated they tried very hard to reduce the structural coverage of the house, and when he asked <br /> about the rules, he either misunderstood or the height of the deck was not discussed. <br /> Thiesse asked what the ramifications are to lowering the deck. <br /> Zehnder stated it would result in a couple of steps down. The garage will also be a couple of steps down. <br /> Thiesse stated he believes in having a structure there,and whether it is three feet lower, it will still be the <br /> same structure. Thiesse stated anyone who could see it previously will still see it but anyone driving by <br /> will not see it. Thiesse stated he can justify the variance in his mind but that he cannot think of a practical <br /> difficulty. <br /> Landgraver stated he still tends to stick with the 15 percent since this is a clean sheet. <br /> Schoenzeit stated since the hardcover is lower than what is allowed, that could be one justification for the <br /> structural coverage overage. Schoenzeit stated in his opinion the steps are a nuisance and a safety issue. <br /> Schwingler commented the steps would be impractical. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the concern is if it is okay in this case, the next guy could simply forget to include the <br /> deck and then come back later and request additional structural coverage. <br /> Thiesse stated this is a very rare case where you have a deck and nobody knows it is there, but if it is <br /> lowered a foot and a half, it is okay. Thiesse noted the Planning Commission is only a recommending <br /> body and that their decision can be overturned. <br /> Schoenzeit moved,Olson seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 16-3830,Zehnder <br /> Homes,Inc., 1255 Dickenson Street,granting of lot area,lot width, front setback,side setback,side <br /> street setback, and structural lot coverage variances,with the practical difficulty being the need for <br /> steps if the variance is not granted. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 1,Landgraver opposed. <br /> 7. #16-3815 CITY OF ORONO,ZONING CODE AMENDMENT REGARDING THE <br /> DEFINITION OF HALF-STORY AND THE REGULATION OF MASSING,7:56 P.M.—8:03 <br /> P.M. <br /> Curtis stated at the April Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss the <br /> possibility of amending the City's massing regulations. Two options were discussed and the amendment <br /> was tabled. <br /> The Planning Commission should re-open the public hearing, receive any new feedback from the public, <br /> and then discuss the two options. During the May work session,the general consensus of the Planning <br /> Commission was to proceed with Option 1. The two options are as follows: <br /> Option 1: Remove the number of stories limitation, keep height limitations as it is currently calculated at <br /> 30 feet, keep the 15 percent structural footprint maximum for lots under 2.0 acres. <br /> Page 13 of 17 <br />