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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 13, 2012 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> Page 13 of 22 <br /> <br />(9. #12-3540 CHARLES TRUWIT AND PAULA PICARD, 1105 FERNDALE ROAD WEST, <br />Continued) <br /> <br />Curtis indicated that is what the revised hardcover calculations show on the second page of Staff’s report. <br />Staff removed the portion of the driveway that only benefits the neighbor and everything that the subject <br />property needs to access the property is included in the hardcover numbers. <br /> <br />McMillan asked whether anyone has any issues with the patio being converted into a deck. <br /> <br />Bremer and Printup indicated they do not. <br /> <br />Rahn stated as it relates to the driveway, in his view the circular driveway is excessive and that he is not <br />in support of the turnaround. Rahn commented there might be more headlight issues with the tear drop. <br />Rahn stated he is not sure why the City Council would allow the blue driveway area since it appears the <br />applicants have a plenty wide turnaround without the blue area. <br /> <br />Truwit indicated the blue currently exists and that it would be removed with the addition of the <br />turnaround. <br /> <br />Rahn stated he would go with Staff’s recommendation and pointed out that it is a lot more house than <br />what was there before and that in his opinion it would have an impact on the character of the <br />neighborhood. Rahn commented that he has received complaints from other citizens about ramblers <br />being changed to two-story residences. <br /> <br />Rahn stated as it relates to driveways in general, the City Council gets very detailed on how wide <br />driveways can be, along with turnarounds. Rahn stated it appears that there would be plenty of room to <br />turn a car around and asked whether the engineer agrees with that assessment. <br /> <br />Curtis indicated he does. <br /> <br />Rahn stated if the applicant would like to rearrange the driveway and perhaps remove a third garage stall, <br />the application can be tabled for redesign. <br /> <br />Truwit indicated he did remove some of the existing hardcover and that he is not interested in redesigning <br />his plans. Truwit noted this is the last one-story house in the neighborhood and that the other homes have <br />already been converted or have been approved for redesign. Truwit stated the character of the <br />neighborhood has already changed and that the current house is not livable the way it is. <br /> <br />McMillan commented the applicant has a right to construct a second story but that it will have some <br />impact to the neighboring property. As it relates to the driveway, in an ideal world without the need to <br />limit hardcover, it would be elegant. McMillan stated in her view the applicant does have enough room to <br />back cars in and out of the driveway. McMillan stated she understands why the applicant would like that <br />amenity but that in her opinion there are already concessions being made with the location of the house. <br /> <br />Truwit stated the current house is an eyesore and that they are proposing a solution. Truwit stated he has <br />given the City Council his rationale for the turnaround and that he would like to proceed forward with the <br />rest of the house. <br /> <br />Franchot asked which corner the conservatory would be located on. <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 02/27/2012 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 02/13/2012 [Page 13 of 22]