Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 18, 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 22 of 35  <br />  <br />Mike Sharratt, Designer, stated they started on this project in 2011 and have been working through the <br />changes in the zoning ordinance. Sharratt stated it is their opinion that the proposed grades they are now <br />proposing to fill in were originally there at one point in time. The wood retaining walls were the result of <br />the dirt that was removed and that they are proposing to remove those retaining walls and refill in that <br />area. <br /> <br />Sharratt stated the other item is that the two side yard nonconformities will be made conforming as part of <br />this project. The existing deck, which is currently almost entirely over the average lakeshore setback, will <br />be made conforming. Sharratt noted the property owners have the right to rebuild the deck but that they <br />have elected to fill in the grade beyond the deck on the northeast corner and then remove the deck <br />structure and railing. <br /> <br />Sharratt noted the one corner of the house is also nonconforming and will be cured as part of this project. <br />The current proposed hardcover is 21.1 percent and structural coverage will be 13.5 percent. Sharratt <br />stated once the project is complete, the property owners will end up with a fully landscaped yard where <br />the slope occurs and that their plans are being revised to meet the 3:1 slope. Sharratt indicated they will <br />be forwarding those revised plans to Staff in the next couple of days. Sharratt stated the plan will be fully <br />compliant in every way and that they are simply attempting to recreate what was originally there. <br /> <br />Schwingler commented the application is pretty straight forward and will be an improvement. <br /> <br />Landgraver stated when you are on the property, you can see that the property to the south has a drainage <br />issue. Landgraver asked what the applicants’ plans are relating to the drainage. <br /> <br />Sharratt illustrated the drainage swales and the flow of the drainage on the overhead. Sharratt indicated <br />drainage swales will be created to divert the runoff down the property onto the flatter portion of the slope. <br />Sharratt noted there is also a catch basin that was installed by the City. Sharratt stated at some point in <br />time there was a significant amount of erosion that was occurring which resulted in the retaining walls. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if it is the applicants’ expectation that they will be able to implement the swales on the <br />upper part of the property without any significant damage to the trees in the area. <br /> <br />Sharratt stated the one existing tree is located 15 feet away from the property line and it will not be <br />impacted by the work. <br /> <br />Landgraver noted one of the neighbors had expressed a concern about the tree and the drainage. <br /> <br />Leskinen asked if a portion of the stone patio will be at the level of the top of the timbers. <br /> <br />Sharratt illustrated the location of the patio. Sharratt stated it would be at essentially at the elevation of <br />the first floor of the existing house. <br /> <br />Thiesse asked whether all of the timber walls would be removed. <br /> <br />Sharratt stated they will be. Sharratt pointed out a portion of the retaining wall that is located on the <br />neighbor’s property. Sharratt stated that also will be corrected as part of this project. <br /> <br />Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 <br />[Page 22 of 35]