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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 9, 2015 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 15 of 43  <br />  <br />(9. #14-3687 REAL ASSETS II, LLC 3720 – 3730 NORTHERN AVENUE – PLAT OF <br />NORTHERN OAKS, continued) <br /> <br />Gronberg stated once someone arrives at a house plan, little tweaks sometimes need to be made to it. <br /> <br />Walsh asked if they accomplished the grading plan prior to the final plat being approved. <br /> <br />Gronberg indicated they did. Gronberg stated the basic grades did not change and that this is just to meet <br />the criteria for a basement. Gronberg indicated the garage elevations and the walkout elevations are the <br />same. <br />McMillan asked if someone can have either a basement walkout or a story walkout. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated how Staff deals with whether it is a basement or a story has to do with how much of the <br />foundation below that first floor is exposed. If more than 50 percent of the perimeter is exposed more <br />than six feet, it is considered a story. <br /> <br />Gaffron noted some years ago the City had a discussion about whether they should measure from the <br />basement floor up or from the floor above down. The City found that most cities go from the floor above <br />down because it relates to how much of the basement foundation is exposed. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated in this case, the actual elevations were not changed for the main floors. Gaffron indicated <br />he did discuss with the applicants that in order to reduce the amount of additional fill they required, they <br />could go from a 9.5 foot basement ceiling to an 8-foot basement ceiling. Gaffron indicated it his <br />understanding the applicants are not interested in doing that since from a marketing standpoint they <br />believe no one is interested in buying a story and a half. Gaffron noted Mr. Abbott a year and a half ago <br />proposed a story and a half but is now proposing two stories. In this case the applicant has always <br />proposed two-story homes. <br /> <br />Gronberg pointed out this change would only affect the two homes in the middle and that the views from <br />the back or the front will not change. <br /> <br />Printup stated from previous conversations, the Council knew the last two lots would be more restricted, <br />and everyone was aware of that, which was similar to the discussion with the previous applicant. Printup <br />stated this would set a precedent and the question is whether the Council wants to start doing that. <br />Printup indicated he is not comfortable with that. <br /> <br />Levang stated to her recollection the Council has had similar discussions on what is classified a story or a <br />basement. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated Staff goes through the analysis with every new building permit that comes in to the City, <br />and perhaps one out of two end up having to redefine or redesign something in order to make it work. <br />Gaffron stated it is one of those things the City is dealing with almost on a daily basis. <br /> <br />Levang stated that leads her to support Council Member Printup and that she would rather not deviate <br />from what was initially agreed to. When Staff and the Council did the analysis on this development, they <br />struggled significantly with how to define what would be a lot and how many would be walkouts. Two <br />Council Members wanted the number of homes to only be five.