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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 17,2012 � <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> The previous application contemplated elevating the new home on fill and an analysis was conducted <br /> which resulted in a flood plain setback variance. It has been determined that the proposed home is not <br /> located within the 100-year flood plain and therefore the fill used for the home's foundation is not <br /> considered"fill to elevate the hoe out of the floodplain"and therefore not subject to the 15-foot setback <br /> from the 100-year floodplain elevation. The MCWD's requirements still apply. <br /> The proposed mitigation grading appears to result in tree loss. Combined with the additional circle <br /> driveway proposed and the very substandard lake setbacks on all sides, it makes screening the proposed <br /> structure from the lake quite challenging. Additionally,the proposed hardcover on the property and its <br /> proximity to the lake offer little to no infiltration opportunities on the subject property. The Planning <br /> Commission should discuss with the applicants where appropriate screening opportunities exist and <br /> possibly require a vegetative screening and buffering plan. <br /> Staff finds the footprint of the proposed home is generally consistent with the existing home. The <br /> proposed home will be taller and have greater mass than the existing home. It will become more visible <br /> when viewed both from the lake and Ferndale Road West. <br /> Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to the applicants receiving the <br /> appropriate permits from the MCWD. Copies of these permits must be provided to the city prior to city <br /> council review of the application. <br /> Planning Staff recommends approval of the requested lot width and area variances; approval of the side <br /> setback variance allowing a 5-foot setback as proposed; and approval of lake setback variances and some <br /> level of hardcover variances. However, staff recommends approval of a hardcover variance level <br /> consistent with the previously approved level at 8,899 square feet. <br /> The applicants should provide revised plans for the Planning Commission's review which reflect a <br /> reduction in hardcover and a landscape plan which better addresses infiltration as opposed to primarily <br /> sod on the main lake-facing lakeshore portion of the property. The applicants should also be requested to <br /> consider trees or shrubs in the southwest lakeshore area as a screening element. <br /> Landgraver noted there was a recent change in the amount of hardcover and asked whether that is new <br /> hardcover over what was previously approved. <br /> Curtis indicated that would be new hardcover. Curtis noted she was provided a comparison between the <br /> existing conditions and what is proposed,which has been provided to the Planning Commission. <br /> Levang asked if the dock area on the lagoon side is located in the water. <br /> Curtis stated it consists of 193 square feet and it is located on land. <br /> Levang asked if Staff is in favor of the increased hardcover for the driveway. <br /> Curtis stated Staff supports either reducing what is proposed or going back to the previous plan. <br /> Tom Owens,Attorney—at-Law, stated the variances granted in 2009 had two defects. The first defect was <br /> a failure to include a doorway on the lakeshore or south side of the home. The second defect was the <br /> design of the driveway,which lacks two features to make it safe and practically useable. <br /> Page <br /> 19 <br />