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CITY OF ORONO <br /> PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 15,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Hatcher stated another challenge is snow removal. Currently all of the snow from the driveway is placed <br /> on the far side of Rest Point Lane. With another structure on that property, it will continue to build up on <br /> the sides. Hatcher indicated he has 12 grandkids who play in that area and that having higher banks poses <br /> a problem to the kids. <br /> Tom Ahren, 1335 Rest Point Lane, stated he did take the plans and met with Mark Gronberg. Gronberg <br /> indicated the plans should be more detailed. Ahren noted it is approximately45 feet up the street to the <br /> top and that he does get a lot of water runoff as well. Mark Gronberg's concern was that he did not see <br /> any way they could avoid all of that and that it would be difficult to control the water. Ahren noted he <br /> already has had to dig up his foundation three times in order to improve the waterproofing and that he is <br /> very concerned about the runoff. <br /> Ahren indicated they are willing to acquire this property from the seller and keep it as a green, open <br /> space. Ahren noted there is also a lot on the other side of the street that would be better to build on and <br /> that they are not opposed to a home on that lot. <br /> Nancy Bloms,Applicant, stated the two gentlemen did make offers on the property but that her realtor <br /> reminded them repeatedly that they could up their offer and purchase it. Bloms stated this builder and <br /> buyer in good faith purchased the property. Bloms stated the neighbors had every opportunity to alleviate <br /> any problems they perceive from this. Bloms noted this is a buildable property and what is being <br /> proposed appears to be a good application. <br /> Bloms stated when she first heard about the retaining wall issue, she looked at it and it appears to be far <br /> enough up to not do any further damage. Bloms stated the water is probably all going to head down to <br /> the southwest corner,which is going to go down the fire lane into the lake, which is where it should be <br /> directed. Bloms stated a person cannot leave a buildable lot vacant that they own to accommodate <br /> someone else's property and that they had a lot of opportunity to purchase the property. <br /> Bloms noted Staff is calling this an alleyway but that it is an access way, which was similar to what was <br /> approved earlier tonight. Bloms stated when she looked at this property, she felt having 35-foot setbacks <br /> on three sides was asking a lot of a property owner. Bloms stated that variance is probably irrelevant at <br /> this point but in her view it was a good call on the part of the Planning Commission and that she can see <br /> why they would want to look at things on a case-by-case basis. <br /> Thiesse noted the Planning Commission recommended that portion of the ordinance be approved and that <br /> the City Council would need to approve it. <br /> Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. <br /> Thiesse asked how the City deals with subsurface drainage. Thiesse noted subsurface drainage is more <br /> difficult to deal with than surface runoff. <br /> Barnhart stated Staff can inform the property owner that there are reports of subsurface drainage which <br /> may impact their buildability of the site and that some further investigation should be done. Barnhart <br /> noted the City's ordinance does not restrict subsurface drainage but it does restrict collecting of water and <br /> dumping it onto adjacent properties. Barnhart stated he does not know if that is cause to deny a variance <br /> on a property that is otherwise buildable in the City's eyes. Barnhart noted if it did not require a variance, <br /> the applicants could have simply obtained a building permit. <br /> Page 12 of 23 <br />