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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMIVIISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 21,2012 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 3. 0-75 foot hardcover variance to allow 2.62 percent existing hardcover to remain in place where <br /> no hardcover is normally allowed. <br /> 4. 75-250 foot hardcover variance to allow 35.0 percent hardcover where 39.65 percent hardcover <br /> exists and only 25 percent is normally allowed. <br /> Gaffron noted hardcover in the 0-75 foot zone is currently at 110 square feet,which includes wood steps, <br /> a concrete wall and pad, and a small pump house. The applicants are proposing no change in the 0-75 <br /> foot zone. . <br /> Hardcover in the 75-250 foot zone is currently 4,240 square feet and consists of a 1,369 square foot <br /> house,a 471 square foot detached garage,a 1,077 square foot driveway, and decks, sidewalks and <br /> retaining walls totaling 1,287 square feet. The proposed house at 1,690 square feet is somewhat larger <br /> than the existing house and includes an attached garage and covered front stoop. The existing retaining <br /> walls north of the detached garage are proposed to be removed. The deck on the lake side of the house <br /> will be much smaller than the existing deck. <br /> In reviewing whether additional removals are possible, it should be noted that the existing and proposed <br /> houses are set back substantially from the street lot line. The addition of an attached garage requires a <br /> longer driveway for this house location. Most of the ancillary hardcover items are proposed to be <br /> removed except for the detached garage. <br /> Gaffron indicated the grading plan retains the existing grades in the 0-75 foot zone. Along the west <br /> property boundary the slope drops off steeply to the neighboring property. A swale is proposed to direct <br /> drainage to the north within the applicant's property to alleviate runoff concerns and then will be directed <br /> to the applicants' lakeshore yard rather than the neighbor's yard. Along the east side of the property,the <br /> existing retaining walls north of the detached garage aze proposed to be removed and replaced with a <br /> slope ranging from 3:1 to much steeper slopes. Gaffron stated it might be best that portions of those walls <br /> remain. The proposal would slightly increase hardcover in the 75-250 foot zone. <br /> Staff recommends approval of the lot area and width variances as well as approval of 0-75 foot and 75- <br /> 250 foot hardcover variances at a level the Planning Commission finds acceptable. If reductions from the <br /> current proposed levels are recommended,then a revised site plan should be requested. Measures to <br /> mitigate the hardcover excesses should be proposed if the detached garage is allowed to remain in place. <br /> The applicant is advised that there is likely going to be street parking difficulties during the construction <br /> process. This neighborhood has narrow roads and a number of new home construction projects are <br /> anticipated within a block or two of the site for the next two years. <br /> Gaffron noted that approval is subject to all recommendations of the City Consulting Engineer in his <br /> letter dated May 17,2012. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether the existing garage meets the setback. <br /> Gaffron indicated it does not. Gaffron displayed pictures of the property. Gaffron pointed out the <br /> location of the swale on the property and the retaining walls. <br /> Page <br /> 17 <br />