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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> The property was replatted in 1971 from the initial two Registered Land Survey(RLS)tracts into three <br /> lots but remained vacant. In 1975, an application to re-plat the property to convert the three lots into just <br /> two lots was reviewed. Despite opposition from the neighborhood and allegations that the filling was <br /> done illegally, the re-plat was approved with the understanding that the approval should not be construed <br /> as building permit approval nor that the land was buildable. The re-plat into two lots was never filed and <br /> the property currently remains as three separate vacant tax parcels. <br /> The applicants have submitted a fairly detailed sketch plan for review tonight. A tree inventory has been <br /> completed for the property. A majority of the trees are volunteer trees of poor quality. A line of huge <br /> cottonwoods once stood along the Carman Bay shoreline but were girdled by beavers and eventually were <br /> removed. <br /> The applicants are proposing to construct two homes on the property. Gaffron noted there are a variety of <br /> existing easements that will need to be eliminated. There is also a view easement in favor of the Powell <br /> property at 2916 Casco Point Road which limits the number, location and height of the homes allowed. <br /> In addition,there are portions of the property located within the floodplain that would need to be filled. <br /> The applicants are also proposing an outlot with a driveway as far away from the wetland as possible but <br /> still remain within the outlot. The driveway will require a hardcover variance. While eight feet of width <br /> is minimal for a driveway serving two residences,that is the maximum width allowed by code within 75 <br /> feet of the lake. With the driveway located so close to the lake, it would be appropriate that stormwater <br /> management facilities be established to mitigate impacts of runoff from the driveway. <br /> Gaffron noted there was a City project completed approximately five years ago to enhance the shoreline <br /> in the area adjacent to the lagoon to cover the City's sewer line. An easement was also created for a cul- <br /> de-sac on the property many years ago but the cul-de-sac was never constructed. City sewer and water <br /> are available to the property. <br /> A very small wetland was delineated within existing Lot 3. If it is determined that filling of this wetland <br /> is required, mitigation may or may not be necessary. The applicants are well aware that the majority of <br /> the property is a filled wetland and likely will require extraordinary measures such as pilings in order to <br /> support homes. <br /> Each of the proposed two lots exceeds the minimum acreage requirements. Lot 1 consists of <br /> approximately 0.6 acres in area and Lot 2, being platted as a back lot given the unusual property shape <br /> and access limitations, more than meets the 150 percent lot area requirement at approximately 1.4 acres. <br /> Each lot exceeds the 100-foot width requirement. <br /> The front/back lot configuration was recommended by Staff as the most conforming method of converting <br /> these three lots into two. The existing driveway easement with cul-de-sac becomes a limiting factor for <br /> development of the site and cannot be counted towards lot area. In order to convert the three lots into two <br /> lots, a new, relocated access corridor to get past proposed Lot 1 is necessary. <br /> The Planning Commission should consider the following issues: <br /> 1. Applicants should be asked to address how they plan to resolve the noted easement and/or <br /> encroachment issues, including the Powell view easement; the potential sewer connection <br /> Page 31 of 48 <br />