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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2007 7:00 o’clock p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ (5. #07-3322 ROBERT AND JORDANNA WILLIAMS, 845 WILLOW DRIVE SOUTH, Continued) located adjacent to the north basin of French Lake, which is a large wetland body. This area is included in the Shoreland Overlay District and subject to hardcover restrictions. There is no lake setback impacting the property. The “Preserve” wetland classification will require a 50 foot buffer and a 20 foot buffer setback from the wetland boundary. Currently a home, detached garage, and two sheds exist on the property. The property owners would like to remove one of the existing sheds, which is located within the wetland boundary, and construct a new 30’ x 30’ detached workshop building. A proposal to construct a two-story connection between the existing house and detached garage is also included. Wetland buffer setbacks and front yard setbacks overlap requiring a variance for any improvement of this property. In response to the Planning Commission’s comments, the applicants have revised their proposal slightly and have moved the workshop five feet closer to the road and have changed the configuration from a square to a rectangle, thus minimizing the encroachment into the wetland buffer area while maintaining the same square footage. The applicants are amenable to reducing the overhead door size to less than eight feet in width to avoid having to construct a driveway to the workshop. They have also agreed to work closely with John Smyth and Planning Staff to establish an appropriately sized buffer. Additionally, they have agreed to grant conservation easements over the wetland and buffer areas as well as comply with a buffer maintenance agreement. The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the variance as requested per Staff’s recommendation. Staff recommends approval of the variances. The applicants will be required to comply with John Smyth’s recommendations regarding buffer establishment and maintenance; and be subject to the standard wetland buffer conservation easement and maintenance agreement prior to the issuance of a building permit for the new workshop. The applicants should be required to submit a revised survey meeting the City Engineer’s recommendations as well as document the buffer areas to be established prior to final action by the City Council. Williams stated he has met with Planning Coordinator Curtis and John Smyth and that he has discussed some type of method to maintain that flat section of land. Smyth has recommended a short retaining wall of about 18 inches be constructed in that area, which he would like to add to his plan. Murphy commented this is a pretty straight forward application and that he does not have any issues with it. McMillan moved, Rahn seconded, to direct staff to draft an approval resolution for Application #07-3322, Robert and Jordanna Williams, 845 Willow Drive South. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PAGE 6 of 14 Item #02 - CC Agenda - 11/26/07 Approval of Council Minutes [Page 6 of 14]