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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 8, 2008 7:00 o’clock p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 8 of 12 6. #08-3375 MICHAEL AND MARY DRAZAN, 3546 IVY PLACE – VARIANCE AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT Michael and Mary Drazan, Applicants, and John Sonnek, Charles Cudd, were present. Gaffron stated the applicants are requesting a number of variances. The proposal is to construct a new residence that conforms to structural coverage, setbacks, meets the average lakeshore setback, but would require a hardcover variance to allow 0.8 percent hardcover within the 0-75 foot setback to allow a permitted lake access stair and 29.9 percent hardcover within the 75-250 foot setback where 34.5 percent currently exists. In addition, a conditional use permit is being requested in order to allow the removal of a lakeside deck and retaining walls and re-grading of the slope. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the hardcover variances as proposed and the conditional use permit for grading within the 0-75 foot setback. The Planning Commission also recommended that rain gardens be incorporated into the plan to accommodate the hardcover in excess of 25 percent. The applicants had originally proposed to do some grading on the neighboring properties but have since revised their plan to eliminate that work. Staff recommends approval of the variances and the conditional use permit. Sonnek stated they have taken steps to minimize their hardcover as much as possible and handle the drainage completely on the property. Mary Drazan stated Ted Capra has changed his drainage and grading plan to include a retaining wall rather than constructing a joint swale and that their other neighbor does not wish to do a joint swale, which resulted in them incorporating French drains into their plan. As it relates to hardship, Ivy Place is an extremely narrow street and that they would like to have some additional parking on their property. Drazan noted in the past they had utilized Mr. Capra’s property for parking, which they no longer will be able to do. Sonnek stated another issue is the existing trees and that they have attempted to preserve as many of the trees as possible. McMillan asked whether the size of the house would remain the same. Sonnek indicated it is slightly smaller than the existing house. Michael Drazan noted they did relocate the house out of the 0-75 foot setback. White concurred that parking is a problem in this area. McMillan noted the house is under the structural coverage limit as well. Rahn stated the applicants have designed pretty much everything to the minimum but that he has a difficult time approving a variance on a conforming lot. Bremer noted she was opposed to the variance granted to Ted Capra but that she does not want to minimize the safety factor as it relates to the narrow street and the need for off-street parking. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 09/22/08 Approval of Council Minutes 09/08/08 [Page 8 of 12]