04-25-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 19 of 32 14. #16-3814 ALEXANDER DESIGN GROUP ON BEHALF OF PETER AND MELISSA SANTRACH, 1700 BOHN’S POINT ROAD – VARIANCES (continued) Gaffron stated when a new house is being built, there is an opportunity for the applicant to remove and balance the hardcover so a variance is not required. Gaffron stated that could be accomplished in this case by making the house smaller or reducing the driveway. Printup asked if Staff alerted the builder about this clean slate concept. Gaffron stated the property owner was alerted at least once and possibly more than once that the hardcover variance would be difficult to get approval for. Levang stated the existing driveway is difficult, especially as you drive into the property, and that there is not a lot of room to maneuver and that they are not able to park a car in front of the garage. Gaffron displayed some aerial photographs of the lot and house. Gaffron noted the circle is a public road but the interior of the circle is privately owned by a number of the residents. The current driveway goes through an easement and then down past the vacant lot. Gaffron noted it is a very narrow corridor and there is no access from the existing driveway up to the higher narrow corridor. Once a person gets into the existing driveway, it is difficult to maneuver to get out. To address that situation, the applicants are proposing essentially a looped driveway. Levang stated when cars are parked on the circle, it makes it even more precarious to maneuver. Levang stated she understands the parking dilemma and that what is being asked for is reasonable given the lay of the land and the need for safety. Walsh stated it comes down to a practical difficulty and having people walking 50 yards in the wintertime or in inclement weather is an issue. Walsh stated the applicants want to make sure there is enough parking for guests and that he does not see an issue with the practical difficulty. Printup commented he is struggling with the clean slate concept and that the Council is concentrating on the driveway and not the house. Printup stated the Council has put people through the mill for less. Kathi Alexander, Alexander Design Group, distributed some photographs of the property. Alexander noted the third variance is being requested because this is a substandard lot for this zone. In comparison to the rest of the lots on Bohn’s Point, this lot and one other lot are quite a bit smaller. Alexander indicated they did have a bit of a challenge with the lot in addition to some drainage issues and that they worked for several months on the design to deal with the drainage, the design, and access. Walsh stated at a normal house the property owners have room for someone to park in their driveway and that the proposed turnaround is the extra hardcover being requested. Walsh stated it does not appear the applicants added any extra hardcover to the house.