11-20-2017 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 20,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. feet will be required. The City requires a setback of 10 feet from the buffer for structures and hardcover. This will require a variance to allow hardcover to be placed within the City's wetland setback and relief from the Watershed's rules regarding buffers. The applicant is proposing to meet all other setback requirements for the two newly created lots as part of the plat. The applicant is also requesting driveway width variance for the 12-foot width proposed driveway to be placed within the 75-foot lake yard setback where an 8-foot maximum driveway is allowed. The 12 feet represents a reduction in the normally required shared driveway width of 20 feet. The Fire Department supports the narrow driveway with the condition that the homes be fitted with a sprinkler system. As it regards the 17-3989 application,the applicant is requesting vacation of two existing easements that are not currently in use. There is a driveway easement that will no longer be aligned with the proposed development and it would be beneficial to formally vacate the easement for clean title. The applicant is also requesting the vacation of an underground utility easement used for sanitary sewer by the City of Orono. The existing easement does not line up with the placement of the existing sewer pipe. The City is requesting the applicant vacate the unused utility easement and create a new utility easement over the existing sewer pipe. Per the City Engineer,the newly created easement must be a minimum of ten feet wide on either side of the pipe, creating a total of a 20-foot wide underground utility easement for the sewer line. This new easement will be created as part of the final plat. As it relates to the 17-3990 application,the applicant is proposing to alter the existing floodplain by adding fill to create a building envelope above the flood elevation for the proposed homes and to create proper drainage for the site. The applicant is proposing to add fill in the center of the project and then gradually grade away from the homes towards the lake. This grading will impact a small wetland in the center of proposed Lot 2. Based on preliminary discussions with the Watershed, it appears the impact to the wetland will fall under their de minimis criteria and will not need to be mitigated. The proposal to create a beach would bring the wetland impact beyond the de minimis threshold, requiring mitigation of all wetlands. Staff does not support the alteration of the wetlands for a beach. In order to achieve appropriate grading and drainage for the site,the applicant proposes removing 1,231 cubic yards of pool soil and bring in 2,817 cubic yards of fill. Overall there will be 1,583 cubic yards of fill being added to the existing site. A conditional use permit is required if there is 500 or more cubic yards of earth being moved on a site. A portion of this cutting and filling will occur in the 0-75 foot lake yard. The applicant is anticipating the total number of trucks could range between 130-230 depending on the soil conditions. Included in Staff report is a lot analysis. Staff finds the purpose of the variances for the wetland setbacks and exceeding the 8-foot driveway width are reasonable. The placement of the driveway is limited and the grading on the site is reasonable and consistent with the preliminary plat. The development of the proposed lots is consistent with the neighborhood to create two new single-family homes. The proximity to the wetland for the shared driveway is reasonable and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and will not alter the character of the area. Page 12 of 21