10-20-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15, 2014 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 37 of 59 percent of the entire lot area yields just over 2,400 square feet of hardcover allowance. The applicant is proposing a house and driveway totaling just under 1,600 square feet of hardcover so no hardcover variance is required. Gaffron stated as it relates to the building height, the proposed house appears to meet the City’s established height limitations of 30 feet and 2-1/2 stories. As depicted, the proposed structure has a defined height of approximately 23 feet, a peak height of approximately 29 feet, and is defined as a two- story structure with no basement. The lower level would be defined as a story. No variance is necessary for the height of the structure. Gaffron noted Staff’s report contains the practical difficulties analysis as well as an analysis of the consistency of the proposal with the Comprehensive Plan. Staff finds the following: 1. The property does not meet the criteria established by state statute and City Code to be deemed buildable without variances being granted. 2. The City is not obligated to grant variances to allow this property to be buildable. 3. The fact that a summer hoe existed on the property many decades ago does not provide an inherent right to build a home on the property. 4. The parcel has historically been assessed at a valuation significantly below that of a buildable site. 5. In past actions the City has generally denied lot area variances for vacant lots of less than 10,000 square feet. 6. The original plat designation as “Commons” strongly suggests that this site was originally platted as a neighborhood amenity rather than as an individual building site. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 10/20/2014 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 09/15/2014 [Page 37 of 59]