03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCII.MEETING Monday,March 9,2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. (9. #14-3687 REAL ASSETS II,LLC 3720—3730 NORTHERN AVENUE—PLAT OF NORTHERN OAKS,continued) Levang stated in her view it is not the work of the Council to look at the issue of whether a house is sellable or not in terms of a story and a half versus two stories. Levang indicated she is not willing to change the original resolution. Walsh indicated he is a little more receptive to changing it and that the City would not be breaking any new ground here in terms of adding additional fill. Walsh stated in his view the City would not be setting any precedent and that the City Council has an obligation to the City to make sure that the correct things are done and that they are not building homes that are not saleable. Walsh stated he would be a little more receptive to solving the problem and getting some good saleable homes. Todd Holmers asked if they dropped it to a foot and a half and went to the 8-foot basement whether that would solve the problem. Gaffron noted they had that discussion on the site and concluded that it would help but that Staff would need to see an exact plan. Gaffron stated it would definitely get it closer but it could potentially change the location of the garage and possibly other things. Gronberg stated they did look at having an 8-foot basement and it did work. Gronberg stated that would lower the house level from what was shown on the original grading plan. Gaffron stated that is true,and from Staf�s perspective, if there was a grading plan that showed additional fill and the location of the houses,they could review that. Gaffron indicated he would not want to do it as a variance but rather approve it only as a change to the master grading plan for the development. Gaffron stated he does not want to start a precedent of requiring a variance on it,which is why these two applications were brought before the City Council tonight. Gaffron stated this application is still in the development plan phase,which could justify changing the development agreement. Printup stated if the flexibility is there,the applicant could come back with another plan. Levang asked if Staff is recommending it be tabled until the applicant can submit a new plan showing the 8-foot ceilings. Gaffron stated it would be helpful to have an actual plan that Staff can review to see whether it would work. McMillan asked if they would need to come back to the City Council if the 8-foot ceilings worked. Gaffron stated if the lower basements work with the original grading plan,the only thing the City is doing then is saying that the City will accept the idea that the original grading plan did create the new existing grades for measuring basements and heights. Walsh asked if that is an interpretation or whether it would require a revision to the resolution. Page 16 of 43