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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 /> Staff recommends approval of the requested lot width, lot area, and lake yard setback variances <br /> contingent on the applicant providing plantings to screen the retaining walls from the lake view. Staff <br /> recommends denial of the hardcover variance or submittal of revised practical difficulties which meet the <br /> variance criteria and support the granting of the variance. <br /> The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br /> John Van Dyke, Gordon James Construction, stated they have been working with the property owners to <br /> bring the hardcover below 30 percent. Approximately two years ago the neighbor to the south had their <br /> back yard regraded and as a result there is a lot of runoff coming onto the Gutemuth's property. Van <br /> Dyke indicated they will lose one of the large maple trees due to erosion and they have experienced a lot <br /> of silt buildup behind the boathouse. The property owners previously had been able to walk down the <br /> slope to the lake but that is no longer the case due to erosion. <br /> Van Dyke stated they worked hard to try to get under the 25 percent hardcover limit, but because of some <br /> of the existing conditions,they are not able to do that. <br /> Thiesse asked if there is any natural way of maintaining the slope and reducing the erosion without the <br /> retaining walls. <br /> Van Dyke stated in his opinion it would be pretty difficult to do and that a retaining wall system appears <br /> to make the most sense. <br /> Leskinen asked if a reduction in hardcover could be made somewhere else on the property to eliminate <br /> the 171.25 feet. <br /> Van Dyke indicated they could look at that and that the property owners' desire was to at least maintain <br /> the path around the house, landscaping and deck. Van Dyke noted the stairs have added to the hardcover <br /> on the ot. <br /> Thiesse asked if the wall between this property and the neighboring property to the south will stay. <br /> Van Dyke stated they are not planning on touching it. <br /> Schoenzeit asked why the house could not be moved closer to the street to reduce some of the driveway <br /> hardcover. <br /> Van Dyke stated they probably could relocate the house slightly, but since they are on the lake,they <br /> would like to take advantage of the view. <br /> Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. <br /> Will Hack, Gordon James Construction, stated they are dealing with a situation that did not exist when the <br /> Gutermuths purchased the property in 2008. Hack stated he appreciates the questions about the hardscape <br /> and that a lot of effort has gone into positioning the house for effective spacing from the street. In <br /> addition,the driveway has been narrowed down as much as possible to reduce hardcover but still allow <br /> cars to enter the property and be set back from the street. Across Casco Circe, Hack noted some of the <br /> Page 2 of 21 <br />