02-21-2017 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday,February 21,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. The proposed cabin meets the 75-foot setback from the lake. The northern stoop access to the cabin is within the setback at 67 feet. An additional 61 square feet of hardcover is proposed within the 75-foot setback. The applicant is attempting to avoid impacting the existing extensive garden features on the property with the new cabin construction. Staff finds that the peninsula configuration of the property functions much like an island yet shares a 6- foot connection with the property across the bay at 2165 North Shore Drive dictating the average lakeshore setback requirement. The subject property does not block views of the lake from the home at 2165 North Shore Drive as it is across the water from the home. Staff finds the practical difficulty requirements are satisfied regarding the average lakeshore setback. The applicant has opted to modify the footprint and location of the guest cabin thereby triggering the need for the variances as well as the conditional use permit. Staff finds that the stoop on the north side of the home can be removed as there are three other points of egress. The proposed development suggests hardcover levels beneath the Tier 1 allowance and there is sufficient pervious area offering infiltration opportunities on the property. The conditions applying to the two different conditional use permits relating to the guest cabin have been satisfied according to Staff. The engineering standards required as part of the floodplain regulations apply to the conditional use permit for the structure and will be reviewed and applied at the permit stage. Planning Staff recommends approval of the variances and conditional use permits as follows: 1. Approval of the guest house conditional use permit with the standard covenants; 2. Approval of the conditional use permit to permit the guest house to be constructed on helical piers within the floodplain; and 3. Approval of the average setback variance for the construction of the new guest house cabin. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. Laurel Ulland, Architect, stated she would be happy to answer any questions the Commission may have. Thiesse asked how far the proposed guest house would need to be moved to meet the 75-foot setback. Ulland stated she mistakenly read the ordinances as saying the house could be set at 75 feet without the stoop and that she would prefer not to move the house back. Ulland indicated she is attempting to set the south edge of the new house where the old house was as well as preserve the garden. Ulland stated they can give up the stoop if it is a concern. Thiesse stated unfortunately it will be a concern. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Thiesse commented the stoop was his main concern. Page 11 of 32