03/19/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 19,2012 6:30 o'clock p.m. Curtis noted a larger portion of the current home encroaches into the setback than what is being proposed. Schoenzeit commented it is an improvement over what currently exists. Schoenzeit commented in his view the proposed home appears to work well in that area. Leskinen concurred the proposal is a dramatic improvement over what currently exists. Curtis displayed the existing patio and home on the overhead. Curtis pointed out the location of the neighbor's home and the fence. Levang commented under this proposal the neighbor may actually have a better view of that area. Curtis noted she has not received any comments from that neighbor. Leskinen noted the proposed home does meet the height regulations and that at the last meeting the applicant had discussed the fact that they will be lowering the elevation of the grade for the home. Leskinen asked whether they will be reducing the grade. Sonnek noted they have reduced the elevation of the grade for the home by approximately a foot and a half. Schwingler moved,Schoenzeit seconded,to recommend approval of Application#12-3544,Charles Cudd DeNovo on behalf of Mary J.Bowman Trust,1165 Ferndale Road West,granting of variances and a conditional use permit,with the elimination of the native vegetative area. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 3. #12-3546 TODD HOLMERS ON BEFIALF OF SANDY BEACH,LCC, 1545 MAPLE PLACE,CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT,6:57 P.M.-7:13 P.M. Todd Holmers,Applicant,was present. Curtis stated the applicant had recently received approval to plat the six southerly 50-foot lots into three 100-foot lots. They have since changed directions and plan to develop each of the seven 50-foot lots individually according to MN State Statute 462.357. In order to successfully develop each of the seven lots,the previously approve stormwater grading plan must be implemented. The previous plan was reviewed and approved as part of the plat. As the plat will not be finalized,the applicant requires conditional use permit approval to accomplish the similar/same grading plan which exceeds 500 cubic yards of land alteration. The primary change to the grading plan includes incorporation of building pads for three additional homes and currently shows two 4-foot high retaining walls on Lots 7 and 8 to accomplish the swale to the road culvert. According to the statute, and as with the previous plan,the properties are limited to 25 percent hardcover each where 30 percent and 35 percent would normally be permitted by City Code. The increase in the number of home sites does not result in an increase in total hardcover,only a change in the location and size of building pads and common lot line swales. It should be noted that the building pads, as shown, exceed the 1,500 square foot size as allowed by City code. The pad sizes were shown for Page 4