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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, May 14, 2007 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />PAGE 9 <br /> <br />(#07-3251 Mandeep & Leisa Sodhi, Continued) <br /> <br />applicants have reduced hardcover on their property since they purchased it, the reduction in hardcover <br />was made in 2001 while the increase in hardcover occurred in 2005. Staff recommends that hardcover be <br />reduced to at least 2001 levels and preferably to 25 percent. <br /> <br />Turner noted that Building Inspector Bruce Vang did meet with the applicants and has confirmed they do <br />have a water problem. In his opinion the front patio is probably needed to keep water from draining <br />toward the foundation and is uncertain whether the fabric under the planting beds is helping the water <br />problem. <br /> <br />Mrs. Sodhi stated she did bring a photograph this evening showing the steps from the time they originally <br />purchased the house going down to the bluff area. The previously approved variance for the deck <br />requires that a portion of the deck be removed, which they are willing to do. <br /> <br />Turner stated the shaded part of the overhead is the portion of the deck that currently encroaches. <br /> <br />Mrs. Sodhi pointed out the landscape beds located away from the house and stated they are willing to <br />remove the fabric. Since they purchased the property, they have reduced the hardcover on the lot and <br />have also removed a substantial amount of the noxious weeds. In addition, improvements to the runoff <br />and drainage have been made on the lot and some retaining walls have been removed. Sodhi stated it is <br />their belief they have reduced the size of the deck from what previously existed. In 2001, the hardcover <br />was approved at 26 percent. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired whether a table and chairs would fit in that area on the deck. <br /> <br />Mrs. Sodhi stated that area is basically a walkway. <br /> <br />Mr. Sodhi noted they have made a number of improvements to the property since they purchased it, <br />including the removal of the stairway, which has reduced the hardcover on the lot. The issue is the size of <br />the deck and that some of the issues relate to the 200 foot setback and how the lot is laid out. They have <br />also tiled their entire basement after experiencing water in their basement twice and have taken other <br />steps to help correct the runoff into the basement. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired whether the deck was recently replaced. <br /> <br />Mr. Sodhi stated the deck was replaced three years ago after a construction worker fell through the rotten <br />deck. At the time the deck was replaced, they did reduce the size of the deck and changed the <br />configuration, which eliminated the need to step into the neighbor’s property when exiting the deck. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired whether they obtained a permit for the work on the deck. <br /> <br />Mr. Sodhi stated they did not since they needed to replace the deck rather quickly to accommodate their <br />son’s birthday party the next day. Sodhi stated they are okay with the recommendation of the Planning <br />Commission. <br /> <br />McMillan noted the Planning Commission recommended a five foot setback for the deck. <br /> <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 05/29/07 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 05/14/07 [Page 9 of 27]