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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 16,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Lemke moved,Schoenzeit seconded,to recommend denial of Application No. 17-3976,Scott and <br /> Laurie Knutson,795 Ferndale Road North. VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 3; Schwingler,Landgraver and <br /> Leskinen opposed. MOTION FAILS. <br /> Barnhart stated the Planning Commission needs to make a decision one way or another. <br /> Leskinen stated the other option is they could table it to allow the applicant to come back with a more <br /> conforming plan. <br /> Schoenzeit stated if they brought back some of the whys of why it does not work anywhere else,that <br /> would be helpful. <br /> Knutson stated they have looked at every option and that this is the one that works. Knutson stated he <br /> wants to get along with his neighbors and that he is open to adding more screening. Knutson stated they <br /> tried the one that was squared to it with one opening and that was very difficult and then the grade drops <br /> off in the other area. <br /> Leskinen asked if the Planning Commission would be more inclined to approve if the motion had a <br /> recommendation requiring vegetative screening. <br /> Schoenzeit stated in his view there is plenty of land to be more creative and being that close to the <br /> property is not necessary. Schoenzeit suggested the structure be placed in the area where the word lot is. <br /> Thiesse noted that area contains a number of big trees. <br /> City Administrator Rief noted removal of trees is not necessarily a practical difficulty since the <br /> homeowner has the right to take them down if he wants. <br /> Landgraver stated the Planning Commission is interested in some engineering data that shows the <br /> structure cannot be placed elsewhere. <br /> Knutson pointed out the location of the septic tank,the well,and the drop in grade. Knutson stated he did <br /> not want to create a big foundation by placing it near the drop in grade but that they could maybe bring it <br /> in some. <br /> Thiesse stated he would like to table the application so the property owner can look at other options. <br /> Knutson commented there are very few options outside of screening or bringing it in slightly. <br /> Thiesse noted the configuration of the structure can be changed as well but that there is not much that can <br /> be done to alleviate the view of the neighbor. <br /> Leskinen moved,Landgraver seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 17-3976, Scott <br /> and Laurie Knutson,795 Ferndale Road North,based on Staff's recommendation and with the <br /> further recommendation that vegetative screening be provided for the new addition. <br /> Thiesse noted anything on that side of the house would be visible and that adding some landscaping <br /> would help. <br /> Page 25 of 32 <br />