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CITY OF ORONO <br /> PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 15,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> is approved. There is an egress well located in the setback. City Code does allow egress wells into a <br /> required yard up to five feet. This proposed improvement would meet that and Staff feels the request is <br /> appropriate. The floor plans show a standard development that would be expected for a house of this size. <br /> Barnhart displayed an aerial photograph of the subject property and pointed out the location of the <br /> alleyway. <br /> The City has received some public comments which were included in the Commissioners' packets. Those <br /> comments expressed concerns about drainage onto their properties and the impacts to a retaining wall and <br /> an irrigation system currently on the property. There were also concerns relating to the amount of traffic <br /> in the alleyway and the possible loss of valuation to their properties. <br /> Staff feels the applicant has demonstrated a practical difficulty and Staff recommends approval of the <br /> variance as requested. If the proposed improvement was bigger or multiple variances were being <br /> requested, Staff would feel differently, but as proposed, Staff recommends approval. <br /> The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br /> Brian Tata,TC Homes, stated they are proposing to construct a single-family home on the lot. The lot <br /> poses some challenges as far as width but in his view they have done a good job designing an attractive <br /> home for the neighborhood. <br /> Thiesse asked if any confirmation has been received from the other surveyor named in the email received <br /> earlier today. <br /> Barnhart indicated Staff has not received anything. Barnhart stated concerns relating to water runoff are <br /> important to Staff and during the building plan review Staff ensures that runoff is not going onto the <br /> neighboring properties. <br /> Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. <br /> Steve Hatcher,4635 North Shore Drive, stated part of their concerns is runoff since they currently have <br /> water in their basements. Hatcher stated when his insurance company looked at his property, they <br /> consistently said that if there is a structure placed at the proposed site, that will increase the water coming <br /> into their basements. <br /> Thiesse asked if this is subsurface water. <br /> Hatcher indicated it is subsurface water. The previous owner built a retaining wall on part of the <br /> easement area and a portion of the retaining wall to the north of his property continues to have pressure <br /> put on it. Hatcher stated it was noted when he purchased the property that the retaining wall was starting <br /> to blow out from the water. With placing a structure and diverting that water around the proposed <br /> property, it will continue to increase the water towards the retaining wall area. <br /> Hatcher stated a portion of their sprinkler system is up in the left-hand corner, which will result in the <br /> need for him to reroute his sprinkler system. Hatcher stated that was something that was unknown when <br /> he purchased the property and it will be relocated. <br /> Page 11 of 23 <br />