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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2011 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 of 28 (7. #11-3518 WILLIAM H. KOCH, 3251 CASCO CIRCLE, Continued) Koch stated the original surveyor is out of business and that another surveyor performed the hardcover calculations. The amount of land in the various zones has changed, which has resulted in the increased amount of hardcover in one zone. Rahn stated the driveway requires 208 square feet of hardcover, which he would be fine with, and that he is also okay with the stair system. Rahn stated until the hardcover task force comes back with their recommendations, he would not be okay with approving the hardcover for the patio and that the City cannot keep raising the amount of hardcover on the lots. Franchot commented in his view the entire proposal is reasonable and that the patio is not large in size. Franchot stated he is in favor of items that keep the water on the property, which has been done, and that he would vote in favor of the plan as submitted. Bremer noted it was originally approved in 2006 for 3,363 square feet of hardcover. There currently is 3,453 square feet, which is 90 feet over what was approved. Bremer indicated she is in agreement with Council Member Rahn that the deck might not be justified. The City sees a number of requests for additional hardcover similar to this request but that the City needs to enforce the hardcover limits even though the patio seems like the one thing the previous property owner would have constructed but didn’t. Koch noted the plans did show a 142 square foot patio, which was approved, and that in his view the builder was trying to cut costs at the time of construction. McMillan expressed a concern about adding additional hardcover for a patio. McMillan indicated she is okay with the driveway and stairs but that she would only approve a maximum of 142 square feet for the patio, which was part of the original resolution. Rahn asked what the sidewalk is constructed out of on the north side of the house. Koch indicated it is constructed out of wood. Rahn noted the 2006 survey called for a permeable grate and that the City might not have included the sidewalk in their hardcover calculations. Printup asked whether the applicant would be interested in separating out the patio portion of the application and revisit it later. Koch indicated he would prefer not to do that and that he has spent approximately $12,000 in surveying costs getting to this point. Koch stated he would be willing to look at reducing the driveway but that he would also like to construct a patio. Koch noted the proposed patio would have a catch basin going to the rain garden but that they would not be able to construct that if they are limited to the 142 square feet. Koch indicated he does not want to go through this process again in order to come up with a new design. Franchot stated he does not see what the difference would be to separate it out. McMillan commented that the hardcover task force may come out with some changes that would impact that portion of the application. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/26/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 09/12/2011 [Page 10 of 28]