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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 /> 5. #17-3969 DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES,ORONO PRESERVE RPUD AGREEMENT <br /> AMENDMENT,8:07 P.M.—8:33 P.M. <br /> Barnhart noted the City Council approved the RPUD for a 39 unit single-family development back in <br /> October of 2016. The applicant is now requesting an amendment to the RPUD agreement to allow a <br /> maximum defined height of all buildings of 35 feet instead of the 30 feet allowed by zoning ordinance. <br /> The calculation of building height is based on the height of the building and the adjacent existing ground <br /> level. <br /> Orono Preserve was originally a very flat development and fill was brought in to create house pads that <br /> provided surface drainage away from the structures. This elevation,coupled with a narrow two-story <br /> structure and high pitched roofs, raised the defined height to over 30 feet. A review of the first two plans <br /> resulted in a defined height of 32 and 31.5 feet. <br /> In lieu of modifying the RPUD agreement to allow higher buildings,the developer has the following two <br /> options: <br /> 1. Adjust the roof pitches and/or the grading plan to fit within the regulations for the project,or <br /> 2. Apply for variances for specific parcels that require flexibility. <br /> Barnhart stated part of the challenge is that this would be no different than reviewing the height question <br /> during preliminary plat review. The increase in height is a huge deviation from City standards and the job <br /> of the Planning Commission is to review the height and decide whether it negatively impacts the Planning <br /> Commission's view of the application. <br /> Barnhart stated up on the screen is a section drawing originally intended to illustrate the buffer <br /> requirements. Staff requested the applicants submit this drawing in order for the Planning Commission to <br /> be able to see the homes and their height compared with the berm and landscaping. <br /> Schoenzeit asked why they would not just fix the grading since it is a clean sheet. <br /> Barnhart indicated the grades were changed to positively influence the drainage away from the homes and <br /> that they did not add extra grade beyond what was approved. Barnhart noted the City Council did <br /> approve the grading plan and it was consistent with the original grading plan that was approved. <br /> Scott Jensen, David Weekley Homes, stated they developed the site with design holdouts and that they <br /> feel it is irresponsible to truck in more dirt. The site has a two and a half foot holdout and that they are <br /> attempting to balance the dirt that is excavated for the basements and keep it onsite. Jensen stated if they <br /> bring in more soil and raise the existing grade,they feel it is irresponsible to do that only to truck out dirt. <br /> Jensen stated they are looking for clarification on their plans. <br /> Jensen noted they typically construct homes with a 10-foot main floor ceiling height and a 9-foot second <br /> story. To balance the soil onsite,they will need to reuse the soil from the basements to get the site to <br /> balance and drain. Due to the water table issue,there are a number of lots that have a 1 or 2-foot step <br /> condition on it,which will raise the house higher in order to get the sewer, grades, and water level below <br /> the basement elevation. <br /> Page 14 of 21 <br />