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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 15,2011 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> approved from the documents that they received. Koch indicated he then met with Planner Evelyn Turner <br /> approximately one year ago and were told that he could put in the patio without any permits. At that <br /> same time the driveway was failing and the decision was made to reconfigure it. <br /> Koch noted he does have a civil and environmental engineering background and that he is aware of the <br /> hardcover regulations in Orono. In designing the larger patio,it was treated as being 100 impervious, <br /> which it likely will not be. Currently there is a small paver landing that they would like to replace and <br /> install a retain.i.ng around the whole thing to keep it secure. It is a 142 squaze foot patio. Koch stated they <br /> would like to keep one section open to act as a planter area. <br /> As it relates to the larger patio space,there is a catch basin to catch the runoff and be diverted into two <br /> rain gardens. Koch commented there should be plenty of capacity to catch that runoff and that he does <br /> not expect any storm water from that area to reach the lake or the neighbors' properties. <br /> Koch indicated he does have some concems with the soil in the area of the retaining.wall. Soil borings <br /> were done at the request of the City and showed.that the soil in the area is apparently clay with thin layers <br /> of sand. They are looking at options to properly stabilize that. The City has requested an engineer sign <br /> off on that part of the project. Koch indicated he has spoken with a couple dozen engineers but that he <br /> has found no one who is willing to sign off on a small residential proj ect. <br /> Koch stated he would like to deal with the wall before there is a failure. Koch pointed out on the <br /> overhead the area of the top wall that is bulging. In addition, some of the logs are deteriorating. Koch <br /> stated he got Concept Landscaping involved because of their experience in dealing with similar lulls. <br /> They have developed a subterranean wall system for the site. Because of the failure plane, Staff has <br /> expressed some concern with it and so a representative from Concept Landscaping is here tonight to <br /> answer any questions the Planning Commission might have. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the Planning Commission would look at the professional engineer signature to help <br /> ensure that the system designed will work properly and it also affords the homeowner some type of <br /> warranty. � <br /> Koch noted most professional engineers carry one million dollars in liability insurance and that Concept <br /> Landscaping carries two million dollars. Koch reiterated he is not sure if he will be able to find a <br /> professional engineer who would be willing to sign off on this project. <br /> Schoenzeit stated that is beyond the scope of the Planning Commission but that in his view the applicant <br /> more than likely will not want to proceed without that engineer sign-off. <br /> Levang indicated she has some questions regarding the driveway and asked what the reason is for <br /> widening the driveway. <br /> Koch stated at the time the driveway was originally constructed,there were two large trees in the <br /> immediate area. The trees were bare at the time they moved into the house. Given the configuration of <br /> the driveway, it is very difficult to access the garage and that they would like to reconfigure it to allow for <br /> better access. <br /> Levang asked what type of paver would be installed. <br /> . Page 5 <br />