01-27-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 27, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 32 (5. #13-3637 WILLI ABBOTT ON BEHALF OF THE BROADWAY GROUP, LLC – 2350 WATERTOWN ROAD AND XXX WILLOW DRIVE NORTH – PRELIMINARY PLAT AND RPUD REZONING, Continued) Levang stated she likes the planting buffer along the cul-de-sac and that in her opinion it should be put in place to reduce the visual impacts. Gaffron stated the question becomes whether a buffer like that can be accomplished without moving the road. Gaffron stated if that area is preserved for a future road, it could also contain plantings in the interim. Levang stated she would like to see plantings in the cul-de-sac portion. McMillan stated the landscaping plan is very good as it relates to the selection of plant material and that the swales will be easier to maintain than rain gardens. Willi Abbott, Applicant, stated by increasing the road setback, the buildable area on the lot would be reduced to 40 feet for the width of a home, which would result in a long, thin home. Abbott stated what they have created with this neighborhood is wider lots and that he understands the development is on a collector street. Abbott stated they chose to use the RPUD standards for this development, which is a give and take. The concept on the interior of the development was created in a layout that works and is visually consistent and very appealing. Abbott noted this concept started way back last year and that if the setback is increased to 40 feet, it will kill the project because it will result in a lot of garage with a little bit of home visible from the front. Abbott indicated he would have to come back with a whole new plan and that he does not support that decision. Abbott stated part of what they are building is homes that have a connection to the front street and a sense of community. As it relates to the wetland outlot, Abbott stated he does not totally understand why that needs to be carved out of a landowner’s land. Abbott stated the wetland easement concept that has been around for a long time works very well. Cutting it out as a separate piece, whether it is owned by a homeowners association or the private homeowner, would result in small lots and that they are attempting to create larger lots with smaller homes. Abbott stated that would necessitate them having to go back to the 15 percent lot coverage area concept, which would not apply to this. The part that applies would be 50 percent FAR on a RPUD. Abbott stated what they were trying to come up with was a plan that would meet the lot coverage for single family in an RPUD and if they are now looking at 15 percent, that will result in a little house. Abbott stated the next issue is the private road. Abbott asked if a public road is required on an urban neighborhood under the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Gaffron stated that is the City’s Comprehensive Plan policy. Abbott noted the policy would then be changed. Levang pointed out the Comprehensive Plan is a guide.