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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 18,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair John Thiesse, Commissioners Bruce Lemke, Denise Leskinen, and Loren Schoenzeit, and Jon <br /> Schwingler. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner <br /> Melanie Curtis, City Planner Laura Oakden,and Recorder Jackie Young. Commissioner Jon Schwingler <br /> arrived at 6:39 p.m. <br /> Chair Thiesse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF <br /> AUGUST 21,2017 <br /> Leskinen moved,Lemke seconded,to approve the minutes of the August 21,2017,Planning <br /> Commission meeting as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> 2. #17-3965 GORDON JAMES ON BEHALF OF DAVID AND LYNN GUTERMUTH, <br /> 2665 CASCO POINT ROAD,VARIANCES,6:31 P.M.—6:48 P.M. <br /> Oakden stated the applicant is proposing to reconstruct a new single-family home on this site and is <br /> requesting the following variances: <br /> 1. Setback variance for construction of the new retaining walls within 75 feet of the OHWL; <br /> 2. Hardcover variance to exceed the 25 percent limitation by 171.25 feet; <br /> 3. Lot area and lot width variances. <br /> The applicants are working with Gordon James Construction to reconstruct their new home. Along with <br /> the retaining walls will be stairs. The applicants are proposing to bring the hardcover down to 26.3 <br /> percent, which would still exceed the City's 25 percent hardcover. Current hardcover is at 40 percent. <br /> Structural coverage meets the City's requirements. The lot does not meet the minimum lot size for the <br /> LR-1C zoning district. <br /> Oakden noted retaining walls are not permitted within 75 feet of the lake. The applicant is proposing to <br /> install new stairs to gain lake access and install new retaining walls to support the stairs. Stairs are <br /> permissible. The applicant is hoping to be proactive in protecting the trees, vegetation, and shoreline on <br /> the property with the retaining walls. The walls as proposed will range from one to six feet in height. <br /> Because some of the walls will exceed four feet in height, engineered design is required. <br /> Staff finds that there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot shape, size,and the drainage and erosion <br /> that have taken place in the lake yard. The applicant has provided a landscape improvement plan which <br /> appears to offer relief to the shoreline and lake yards on the property. The applicants have not provided <br /> clear practical difficulties to support a hardcover variance. <br /> Page 1 of 21 <br />