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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Tuesday, February 18, 2014 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 9 of 11  <br />  <br />Curtis stated the property consists of three separate tax parcels. The home on the property is located to <br />the west on the 570 property. The vacation of the easement affords the property owner a larger building <br />envelope. Curtis noted this is a two-acre zoning district with 50-foot front and rear setbacks and 30-foot <br />side yard setbacks. Curtis stated it is likely that a variance to construct within those setbacks may be <br />needed and the vacation would allow more space to construct a reasonable size home. <br /> <br />McGrann asked if the Planning Commission has previously reviewed an application for a new house on <br />this property. <br /> <br />Curtis indicated the Planning Commission has not and this is just requesting the vacation of the easement. <br /> <br />Thiesse asked if there is a reason to keep any portion of the easement. <br />Curtis noted Xcel has requested a portion of the easement remain. The portion of the easement over 550 <br />and 540 has already been vacated. <br /> <br />Thiesse noted the property at 550 has a large distribution pole on it and asked if that is going to be <br />removed. <br /> <br />Curtis stated that is her assumption <br /> <br />Hawkinson stated the main power line comes up from Barrett, which is behind this property and runs up <br />the neighbor’s property line. The line splits where the old alley was. Hawkinson indicated there is one <br />leg that goes to his property and two legs that go to the house to the north and also the garage north of that <br />property. Hawkinson stated the pole that is in question near the alley that Xcel would like to retain an <br />easement for just brings electricity to his home only and has been there for over 45 years. Hawkinson <br />stated there is no purpose to bring electricity to any other facility. <br /> <br />Gaffron noted the alley was vacated years ago and the only portion of the easement that is being retained <br />would be within the applicant’s property. Gaffron indicated there would still be an easement north of this <br />property up to Dickinson. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit asked if there is any reason to require the tax parcels be combined. <br /> <br />Curtis indicated that would be required at the time the parcels are built on but that they can remain as they <br />are until that time. <br /> <br />McGrann moved, Thiesse seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. 14-3652, Roger and <br />Nan Hawkinson, 570 Orono Orchard Road South, vacation of utility easement, per Staff <br />recommendation. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS <br /> <br />6. REPORT FROM PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES ON CITY <br />COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD ON JANUARY 27, 2014, AND FEBRUARY 10, 2014 <br /> <br />Curtis stated the planning items that were discussed at the January 27 Council meeting were Mr. Wang’s <br />application and the Willi Abbott subdivision. Mr. Wang’s application was revised to a 6-foot expansion. <br />Staff located additional information that indicated his plan for his garage showed an 18-foot existing <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 03/17/2014 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 02/18/2014 <br />[Page 9 of 11]