Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 12, 2007 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />(5. #06-3240 CITY OF ORONO ZONING CODE SECTION 78-1 – DEFINITIONS OF <br />“BASEMENT” AND “STORY”, Continued) <br /> <br />White concurred that given the size of a smaller house, no more than two bedrooms are possible on the <br />first floor and that it is likely there would be some bedroom space in the basement. White stated the <br />question becomes whether that would be a hardship. <br /> <br />Turner stated under the new definition, more of the basement could be exposed with bigger windows <br />installed. Turner indicated under the old definition, a house with a split foyer would be considered a two- <br />story house but under the new definitions it would not be considered a two-story house. <br /> <br />Rahn stated typically ramblers are not constructed nowadays and that usually homes that are constructed <br />today are a story and a half or two stories. <br /> <br />Murphy recommended the Council approve the amendment and that Staff look at Mr. Schoenzeit’s <br />presentation and come up with different scenarios that the City could be faced with. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired what type of variances are expected would result with the amendment. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated in his view there would be fewer variance requests and would result in plans being <br />designed to better meet the City’s standards. Gaffron stated the issue with the old definitions has been <br />that the planning staff has dealt with various architects that have a different definition for a story and a <br />basement and that the new definitions would make the City’s standards clearer. Gaffron noted there are <br />some applications pending that have been delayed that are awaiting action on this amendment. <br /> <br />White stated he would like to take some action on the amendment tonight given the impact this has on <br />some pending applications and then work on the inequities in the amendment at a later time. White stated <br />the Council would also be dealing with some new language regarding massing on lots. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit noted the City of Orono probably has the strictest rules regarding construction and suggested <br />the City look at some leeway to allow for the construction of a larger house. <br /> <br />Murphy stated the City is attempting to prevent the construction of large homes on small lots and that he <br />does not feel there needs to be more leeway. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit stated given the amount of money being paid for some of these lots, a person should have the <br />right to a reasonable sized house. <br /> <br />McMillan stated every lot has some limitations and that those limits have to be taken into consideration <br />when constructing a house. McMillan stated it is difficult to tell applicants that they have to comply with <br />certain standards but that the City attempts to apply the regulations in a fair and equitable manner. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit stated there also are no provisions for corrections of grade. <br /> <br />Murphy stated the Council would take those items into consideration when they arise and that he is in <br />favor of proceeding forward with approval of the amendment. <br /> <br />McMillan commented in her view this amendment helps to close a loophole that allows people to <br />construct a walkout with two additional stories. <br /> <br />PAGE 9 of 14 <br />Item #04 - CC Agenda 02/26/07 <br />Approval of Meeting Minutes February 12, 2007 [Page 9 of 14]