08-13-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, August 13, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. 7. #12-3565 KATHRYN ALEXANDER ON BEHALF OF JOSEPH AND GAIL TEYNOR, 2789 PHEASANT ROAD - VARIANCES Kathryn Alexander, Applicant, and Sven Gustafson, Developer, were present. Curtis stated the applicant is proposing to construct a new residence on the subject property and is requesting a lot width variance and a 75-250 foot hardcover variance. A 4,700 square foot home is proposed, including garage, resulting in 38.5 percent hardcover within the 75-250 foot zone where 50.5 percent hardcover currently exists. The applicants are proposing a 4,700 square foot house. As part of the project, the tennis court will be removed and the driveway will be reconfigured resulting in approximately a 7,000 square foot reduction in hardcover. The lot does not meet the required width of 140 or 80 percent of that to be granted administrative approval per City Code. The property currently includes a home, a long driveway, a detached garage and a tennis court. The existing hardcover within the 75-250 foot zone is 50.5 percent. The applicant has proposed 38.5 percent, which would reduce the hardcover by 2,000 square feet. The applicant is also proposing to remove the tennis court from the 250-500 foot zone, which would reduce the hardcover from 50 percent to 16.5 percent. There is a small boathouse that will remain at the lakeshore and comprises 1.7 percent hardcover. Although the applicant's proposal results in a total reduction of the site's hardcover by 4,600 square feet, the 75-250 foot zone variance is still requested. The proposed home is under the 15 percent structural coverage limit. The hardcover does not appear to alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The Planning Commission at its July meeting voted 6 to 0 on a motion to recommend approval of the lot width variance and denial of the hardcover variance. The Planning Commission discussed the lakeshore rebuild/hardcover tables that have been provided to the City Council. Since the Planning Commission meeting, the table has been updated to 2011. Staff recommends approval of the lot width variance. Staff would also recommend the City Council review the Planning Commission minutes and the hardcover tables. Kathryn Alexander, Applicant, stated this is one of those lots where the new ordinance would make a difference with the hardcover changes but that they are here tonight to be heard under the existing regulations. The lot is long and narrow and requires a lot width variance. Alexander indicated they looked at a number of options for designing the house and garage to work with the land, but short of a detached garage or relocating the house way back on the property, they found there would be no reasonable use with the property without the variance. The amount of current hardcover on the property has been reduced considerably. Gustafson commented the Planning Commission did look at the application before theirs was heard in light of the new hardcover ordinance and decided to table it, but then looked at their application under the City's current regulations. Gustafson noted they have reduced the hardcover on the lot and that they would be below the allowable amount under the proposed draft ordinance. Rahn asked if, under the tier system, they would not be here tonight. Alexander stated they would be at 22.5 percent. Page 14 of 19