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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,Apri116,2012 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> construct a 425 square foot deck to be added to the southeast corner of the residence and were advised <br /> that a hardcover variance was required. The subsequent zoning application was submitted proposing <br /> hardcover removals in conjunction with the new deck. <br /> Hardcover in the 0-75 foot zone is currently 125 square feet,which includes an 83 square foot concrete <br /> sidewalk to traverse the slope from the house to the lake,and a 42 square foot pump house. The <br /> applicants propose to remove the pump house leaving 0-75' hardcover at just 1.3 percent. <br /> Hardcover in the 75-250' zone is currently 4,630 square feet consisting of an 1,873 square foot residence, <br /> bituminous driveway,concrete slabs/stoops/walkways,flagstone walls and walkways,wood retaining <br /> walls and a small canopy. The proposed deck area of 425 square feet includes a stairway to grade <br /> alongside the house. <br /> A portion of the deck is over existing walkway hardcover. The applicants propose to remove 282 square <br /> feet of bituminous driveway, 115 square feet of concrete, 133 square feet of flagstone walks, 11 square <br /> feet of flagstone walls, and a1141 square feet of wood retaining walls. The net result is a 75-250 foot <br /> zone decrease of 157 square feet or 1.6 percent. <br /> In reviewing whether additional removals are possible, it is noted that the existing house sits more than 60 <br /> feet from the road and has a side-loading garage,requiring additional area for backing up. The main <br /> driveway entrance is 11 feet in width and not excessive. Portions of the backup apron deemed by the <br /> applicants as unneeded for backing are being removed. An area of driveway adjacent to the side of the <br /> garage would appear to be expendable, but the applicants use that for various purposes and have indicated <br /> they would prefer not to lose it. Other areas of hardcover to remain are primarily needed to retain or <br /> traverse the slopes on the property. <br /> The applicants made their building permit application prior to demolition of the adjacent house to the <br /> immediate south at 3508 Ivy Place. The average setback line is based on that previous house location, <br /> and the proposed deck does not encroach past that defined average setback line. To dispel any concerns <br /> about the view impact for the new home under construction at 3508 Ivy Place,the owners have submitted <br /> a letter of support for the variance and note there are no view impacts to their property. <br /> The Planning Commission should consider the following: <br /> l. Does the Planning Commission find that the owners propose to use the subject property in a <br /> Reasonable manner which is not permitted by an official control? <br /> 2. Doe the Planning Commission find that the variances, if granted,will not alter the essential <br /> character of the neighborhood? <br /> 3. Does the Commission find it necessary to impose conditions in order to mitigate the impacts <br /> impacts created by the granting of the requested variances? A rain garden? Vegetative shoreline <br /> buffering along the lakeshore? <br /> 4. Are the hardcover levels supported by practice difficulties? Is there room to reduce driveway or <br /> sidewalk hardcover any further without reducing functionality or creating additional practical <br /> difficulties? <br /> Page <br /> 22 <br />