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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2011 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 14 of 28 (10. #11-3521 TAMI HELMER, 3131 CASCO CIRCLE, Continued) Following the Planning Commission meeting, Staff and the applicant conducted additional hardcover analysis on the property. The result is a revised actual 1995 approved hardcover level of 4,955 square feet of hardcover. The applicant’s proposed hardcover plan includes removal of the existing “illegal plastic” within landscape areas within the 75-250 foot zone and results in no net increase in hardcover above the existing 1995 approved level. The property owner to the west, Charlie Jones, expressed concern at the Planning Commission meeting regarding screening for the new deck. The Planning Commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval of the variance as requested. The applicant was directed to add evergreen trees to the existing deciduous trees along the west lot line to enhance the screening year-round. Planning Staff recommends approval of the average lakeshore setback and hardcover variance including the screening enhancement, consistent with the Planning Commission recommendation. As part of this approval, Staff also recommends the fabric or plastic underlayment be removed from all landscape areas on the property in order to further reduce hardcover. Rahn asked if the underlying plastic is being traded in exchange for the additional hardcover. Curtis indicated it is not being traded and it was not removed as required in 1995. McMillan asked whether it is still part of City Code to allow structural coverage on top of hardcover. Curtis stated that is one of the issues the Council will need to discuss. Staff does not have the ability to approve that portion of the application since the hardcover exceeds 25% within that zone. Tami Helmer, Applicant, indicated she purchased the property approximately one year ago. At the time she was considering purchasing the property, she researched whether she could conduct some remodeling on the property and met with Orono Staff several times to learn about the restrictions on hardcover and the different ordinances. Since that time they have purchased the property and have been designing those improvements since they are looking to make this their long-term residence. Mike Sharratt, Designer, indicated they initially received some direction from Staff that was different from where they ended up. Sharratt noted there was some confusion over what the exact hardcover numbers were for the property. After some lengthy discussions, they arrived at a number of 6,315 square feet for existing, which has been reduced to 4,955 square feet of hardcover after removal of the landscape plastic. Sharratt indicated during the design phase they looked at a number of options to achieve all the desired amenities that the property owner designed as well as comply with City regulations. One option was to take the back part of the garage and convert it into a screen porch. They also eliminated the 30 x 12 foot structural deck. Sharratt stated their end goal was to address all those issues and make the property more aesthetically pleasing. (Recess taken from 9:01 p.m. to 9:08 p.m.) (Cynthia Bremer is no longer present) Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/26/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 09/12/2011 [Page 14 of 28]