02-20-2018 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 16, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. 7. #18-4000 JEFF MARTINEAU ON BEHALF OF BARBARA GARCIA, 1335 ARBOR STREET, VARIANCES, 7:24 P.M. — 7:55 P.M. Jeff Martineau, Applicant, was present. Oakden stated the applicant is requesting multiple variances for lot area, lot width, front setback, side street setback, interior side setback and structural coverage to exceed 2,000 square feet. The applicant is looking to construct a new home on the property that will be more centered on the lot. The property is a corner and through lot with streets on three of the four sides. The applicant proposes to build a full basement rambler style home with a two -stall garage and a deck. The property is located in the RR -1B 2 -acre zoning district, with 0.20 acres in a zone requiring two acres. The applicant is requesting a 40 -foot front yard setback where 50 feet is required and a 7.5 interior side yard setback where 10 feet is required. In addition, the applicants are requesting an 8.5 side street setback where 30 feet is required. City Code allows lots of less than 10,000 square feet in area to have a total footprint of 2,000 square feet. The applicants are requesting a structural coverage variance to allow 348 additional square feet of coverage over what is permitted per City Code. The single-family home is consistent with the neighborhood. The applicants should submit a proposed grading plan for review with the building permit. Depending on the roofline, roof overhang or small areas for drainage, water may be able to be mitigated with a gutter system. Staff finds there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area, lot width, proposed setbacks and structural coverage. Due to the size of the lot located within the 2 -acre RR -1B zoning district. The lot is also unique in that it has street abutting three sides of the lot. The Planning Commission should discuss and ask the applicant about the visual impacts of allowing an 8.5' side street setback, placement of window wells for the basement bedrooms if they can create adequate drainage within the side setback space for the lot. To date, no public comments have been received. Staff would recommend approval of the requested variances. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. Jeff Martineau, Applicant, stated he represents both the seller and potential purchaser of the property and that he has submitted a rendering of the exterior, but that he has a photograph of an identical house that was built in another development. Martineau indicated they considered a number of different options for the home. This potential purchaser would like to live in this neighborhood. Martineau stated they initially looked at a house that would front on Prospect but the house would need to be two stories, with the back of the house facing the neighbor to the south. In order to reduce the impact on the neighbors, a one-story house has been proposed facing Arbor and fits the character of the neighborhood. The home will be constructed without any major grading. The main floor of the house consists of approximately 1500 square feet. Page 10 of 17