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MINUTES OF THE ' � <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,March 21, 2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff provided an analysis of the practical difficulty criteria in the memo and the Commission may choose <br /> to review individual conditions if necessary. Staff finds practical difficulties exist which support granting <br /> the lot area and rear setback variances. <br /> Planning Staff recommends approval of the lot area and rear setback variances as proposed with the <br /> condition that the applicant provide the revised plan prior to appearing before the City Council. <br /> The Planning Commissioners had no questions for Staff. <br /> Rick Denman, Applicant, stated they would like to construct a new home on the property. The home to <br /> the northeast of this lot is under construction currently. If the home was not situated on the property as <br /> proposed, it would result in a back yard being right up next to the home that is being constructed to the <br /> northeast. Denman stated in his view it makes a lot of sense to ask for the variance to make the lot more <br /> usable. <br /> Thiesse asked if the owners of the lot to the north are present tonight. <br /> Denman stated they are not. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. <br /> Dean Greimann, 3779 Casco Avenue, asked if the house is going to be facing Casco Avenue or Casco <br /> Point. <br /> Curtis indicated the front porch of the house will face the west. Curtis indicated it is Casco Avenue in <br /> both directions as it goes around but it is essentially Casco Point. <br /> Greimann stated there seems to be a considerable knoll right now on Casco Avenue as you round and <br /> coming off of Casco Point Road to where the line of sight is very limited. Given the construction traffic <br /> and parking, that knoll will present some visibility issues. The road is also narrow. <br /> Greimann stated he does not know what the proposed elevation will be, but that the house that is being <br /> constructed right now appears to be higher than this house. In addition, the lot that the applicant is <br /> proposing to build on now is much lower than the existing new structure that will be constructed. <br /> Greimann asked if considerable fill will be hauled in and whether there will be runoff onto his property. <br /> Greimann noted he currently has runoff onto his property from this property and that he has noticed some <br /> sediment runoff already even with little rain. Greimann stated his main concern is the safety at the corner, <br /> especially if a berm is constructed and more fill brought in. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 6:39 p.m. <br /> Denman stated they have not actually set the height of the home at this point in time but they will need to <br /> meet all the codes in terms of the driveway elevation and so forth. Denman stated the garage will be a <br /> side load garage, which will alleviate some of the safety issues. In terms of the height of the home,the <br /> new home that is being built is pretty close to the home that was removed. Denman indicated they will be <br /> setting the grades in the future when they apply for the permit. <br /> Page 2 of 21 <br />