Laserfiche WebLink
Metadata
Document management portal powered by Laserfiche WebLink 9 © 1998-2015 Laserfiche. All rights reserved.
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, July 9, 2007 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />(8. BENJAMIN SACHS FOR DRK FAMILY ASSOCIATION, 2523 KELLY AVENUE, <br />Continued) <br /> <br />The Planning Commission recommended denial based on the applicant’s unwillingness to redesign the <br />proposal to reduce the amount of hardcover by removing the weed control fabric, reducing the size of the <br />driveway, and reducing the size of the deck. <br /> <br />Staff also recommends denial of the application. <br /> <br />Sachs stated he has been a practicing engineer for almost half a century and that the net gain that he is <br />asking for is a 104 square foot addition to the existing footprint. Sachs noted he did submit a letter <br />outlining his positions. <br /> <br />Sachs stated at the time he purchased the property, it had a 38 percent footprint. Sachs stated his wife has <br />had a recent hip replacement and that it is very difficult for her to work. In order for her to access the <br />deck, it is necessary for her to go all the way around the house. <br /> <br />Sachs stated apparently there is 1800 square foot of plastic around the house, which is considered <br />hardcover by the City. Sachs stated he did not realize how important hardcover is and that he did not <br />understand everything that was said at the Planning Commission meeting. Sachs stated he is asking the <br />Council to use some common sense in considering this application and that he is ready to remove the <br />1800 square feet of plastic but that he would like to retain his driveway since his driveway in his view is <br />difficult to maneuver because of the angle and the boulder wall. Sachs noted the hardcover on the lot <br />would be reduced from 38 percent to 36 percent. <br /> <br />White stated 190 feet is not a large number but given the size of the footprint, a further reduction in <br />hardcover should be made. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired whether the landscape fabric is included in the hardcover numbers. <br /> <br />Bremer noted the City does not include landscape fabric in the hardcover calculation but that they <br />routinely request property owners to remove it. <br /> <br />Turner stated normally landscape fabric is not included in the hardcover calculation but that in this case <br />the fabric is included in the hardcover numbers because it is such a large amount. Turner stated the <br />original proposal reduces the hardcover to 33 percent. Turner stated the driveway and the weed control <br />fabric, which existed at the time the home was constructed, constitute a large amount of the excess <br />hardcover. <br /> <br />Rahn inquired what square footage of deck the applicant is proposing to add. <br /> <br />Sachs stated the deck is elevated so there are no problems with water issues and that he would like to <br />double the size of the deck. Sachs noted the added deck would be over existing hardcover. <br /> <br />White stated he does not have a major problem with the proposal because it improves the overall <br />hardcover on the lot and it allows access to the deck for the applicant’s wife, who is handicapped. <br /> <br />McMillan inquired whether the deck can be accessed from the kitchen. <br />PAGE 11 of 15 <br /> <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 07/23/07 <br />Approval of Counil Minutes April 9, 2007 [11 of 15]