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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 /> Levang asked whether there will be a bump out for the driveway. <br /> Chermak indicated the driveway would be wider at the top and that the length of the driveway is not real <br /> significant,which does not require a turnaround. The street is basically a long driveway and does not <br /> have a lot of traffic. Backing out onto the street should not pose a risk to the drivers. <br /> Chair Schoenzeit opened the public hearing at 9:33 p.m. <br /> James White, 3516 Ivy Place,noted his house determines the setback to the lake. White commented the <br /> � developer has come up with a solution to all of the encroachments. White indicated the little cabin in the <br /> back was constructed in 1950. At the time it was constructed, it was supposed to be torn down when the <br /> main residence was constructed. That did not happen and the cabin has been rented out over the years. <br /> White indicated he is happy to see that will be gone. <br /> White displayed some photographs of his house. White stated last summer he took the entire 1,800 feet <br /> along the lakeshore and put it in a conservation easement. The fence is to prevent the geese from coming <br /> up and destroying the plants. The fence must remain for three years,which is a Watershed District <br /> requirement. White stated the idea behind the conservation easement was to encourage people who live <br /> on the lake to do something other than turf. It also helps filter the runoff before it goes into the lake. <br /> White stated next to his property is a number of trees,which were not there when he first purchased the <br /> property. White commented he likes having privacy. White displayed another photograph depicting two <br /> large trees over 150 years old in front of 3508 Ivy Place. There are also two other trees that are bigger <br /> than those two trees on the lot. White recommended the developer be careful to avoid damaging the <br /> mature trees when the swale is constructed and noted that it should not be necessary to destroy those trees <br /> when doing the work. White suggested a vegetative buffer be planted along the City's right-of-way. <br /> White noted he has applied today for a permit to construct a deck on his property. White requested the <br /> City not establish the lakeshore distance based on his house since the deck will be five feet further from <br /> the house. White indicated he would like to have a little deck off the front of the house and that he <br /> currently has 11.5 percent structural coverage and approximately 29 percent hardcover. <br /> White indicated he will also be taking out a portion of the driveway and putting in a rain garden. White <br /> stated his concern is if the Planning Commission recommends approval of the application today,then the <br /> setback would be from the furthest point of his house and he will not be allowed the deck. White stated <br /> he has taken all of the area in the back next to the lake and turned it into a conservation area and that he <br /> would really like a deck on his house. <br /> Curtis asked if the deck permit is based on today's existing conditions and whether it extends the house <br /> out to 78 feet. <br /> White indicated it does. <br /> Curtis stated that would allow the applicant to have what they have asked for. Curtis stated because the <br /> deck permit is administrative at this point,the average lakeshore setback would be based on what exists <br /> today. <br /> Page <br /> 27 <br />