02-24-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 24, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 14 (6. #14-3649 DEREK AND KELLY PRCHAL – 4705 WATERTOWN ROAD – VARIANCE – RESOLUTION NO. – TABLED, Continued) McMillan noted the applicant would like to increase the size of the nonconformity, which is his personal choice, but that she would prefer the nonconformity not be increased. Prchal indicated he only wants to construct the building once time and that he would prefer to go as large as possible the first time. McMillan asked if the Planning Commission discussed screening of the building. Curtis indicated the Planning Commission did not discuss that and that they felt it was far enough from the road to not require any additional screening. Prchal pointed out the trees he planted this fall and that he intends to plant additional trees in between those. McMillan noted there is a little bit of berm in that area as well. Prchal indicated the trees range from six to eight feet tall and that he would like to plant another five trees in between those. Prchal stated he would be open to planting more trees nearer the building if the City Council requested that. McMillan stated her only concern is increasing the nonconformity to meet storage needs. McMillan noted the applicant currently has a variance for the existing barn and that she would like to minimize the impact without encroaching closer to the road. Bremer noted she attended the Planning Commission meeting when this was discussed and that she does not have a problem with the application. Bremer stated the property does have a number of topographical challenges given the slope and the location of the existing structure and house that eliminates some sites. Bremer stated in her view reversing the direction of the structure will make it look quite a bit bigger than the existing barn and that the side walls will be taller, which is not an improvement. Bremer stated she does understand the concern that was raised by Mayor McMillan but that she is okay with where it is being proposed. McMillan concurred it will be a bigger structure than what currently exists. Printup asked what the reason was for not turning the building. Prchal indicated it would impact their view from the house and road as well as require additional space to make the turn off the driveway. McMillan stated she understands the desire for additional storage but that she is trying to offset the desire for more storage versus the impacts of the structure. McMillan indicated she does see a practical difficulty given the location of the house but that at some point it gets to be overkill in order to accommodate quite a bit of additional storage.