09/19/2011 Planning Commission Minutes

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, r ' MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 19,2011 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Loren Schoenzeit, Commissioners John Thiesse,Hue Alexander,Denise Leskinen,Jon Schwingler, and Lizz Levang. Representing Staff were Assistant City Administrator for Long-Term Strategic Planning Mike Gaffron,Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis, and Recorder Jackie Young. Chair Schoenzeit called the meeting to order at 6:30,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA Leskinen moved,Levang seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. *1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2011 Leskinen moved,Levang seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of August 15,2011, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 2. #11-3524 ROGER AND MEGAN REMARK, 141 CHEVY CHASE DRIVE,VARIANCE, 6:33 P.M.—6:46 P.M. Roger and Megan Remark,Applicants,were present. Curtis stated the applicants are requesting a wetland setback variance to allow construction of an attached garage. The applicants are proposing to construct an approximate 900 square foot attached garage addition,with additional living space,to replace their existing 400 square foot attached garage. The adjacent property contains a large,Preserve classification wetland which extends on to the applicants' property. Preserve wetlands are determined to be the highest quality wetlands. They also warrant the highest level of protection which equates to the largest buffer: a 50-foot buffer plus a 20-foot structural setback from the buffer is required. The applicants'property contains a small area of wetland on the southeast corner. This wetland is part of a larger,Preserve classification wetland on the property to the south. Earlier this summer the applicants applied for a permit to construct a small dining room addition to the north side of the home.This addition did not trigger the buffer requirements of the wetland ordinance. Staffs estimation of the edge of the buffer placed the proposed dining room addition outside of the required 70-foot total setback from the wetland. Because the applicants are now requesting a permit to construct the garage addition,which is located much closer to the wetland, a wetland delineation was necessary and required. The project,plus the dining room project, does not move enough soil to trigger the requirement to implement the 50-foot wide vegetative buffer and therefore a buffer plan is not required. City Code prohibits the creation of new nonconfornuties,which requires that the garage must be constructed to meet the required 70-foot total Page 1