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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2022 Planning Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,March 21,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Dennis Libby,Mark McCutcheon,Bob Erickson,and David Peterson. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner Melanie Curtis,and City Planner Laura Oakden. Chair McCutcheon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Erickson moved,Libby seconded,to approve the Agenda.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21,2022 Libby moved,Erickson seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of March 21,2022.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. LA22-000008,JON BYINGTON O/B/O TRAVIS DEJONG, 1270 WILDHURST TRAIL, AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE(STAFF: LAURA OAKDEN) Travis and Julie DeJong,Applicants,were present. Staff presented a summary packet of information. Ms. Oakden noted the Applicant is requesting an Average Lakeshore Setback(ALS)variance to put an addition and deck improvement to a house that is forward of the ALS.The existing home is non-conforming to the ALS.The Applicant has identified the current location of the home and the location of the northern neighbor's home as reasons for practical difficulty. Staff agrees with the Applicants arguments for practical difficulty due to the extreme setback of the northern neighbor's home and that the new addition and deck will not create any new view obstructions for the neighbors. The Applicant submitted a letter of acknowledgement from 1284 Wildhurst Trail which is the southern neighbor who would be the most impacted view of the project. Staff recommends approval of the ALS variance as proposed. Jon Byington,905 Maplecrest Drive,Minnetrista,stated they are building an area for storage for outdoor and lake activities such as canoes,bikes,and lawn mowers. It will not be accessed through the house. Julie DeJong, 1270 Wildhurst Trail,clarified that this is not an addition to the house but is a separate, outside entrance only with a garage-style door. It does not obstruct the neighbor's view and maintains the same height as the previous deck. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Libby asked if he missed any engineering reviews in the package regarding grading. Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,March 21,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Oakden replied the engineer has not reviewed the application yet as it is being built into an existing grade and will have a minimal amount of grading. She clarified it will be reviewed at the time of the building permit. Chair McCutcheon noted the Applicant is not asking for more but is maintaining the current setback and the neighbor to the north has an extreme setback which the Commissioners have seen before. Community Development Director Barnhart asked to clarify terms,noting the Applicant stated the building was not an addition.The site plan shows the building is to be attached even if there are not access doors between the areas. If the building was not attached it is considered a separate building and there is a 10 foot setback required. He confirmed with the builder that the building will be attached. Oakden noted they are proposing a full foundation footing wall attached to the wall underneath the enclosed deck.Access will be exterior only. Barnhart stated the Commission could table the application pending further information and clarification, or Ms. Oakden can clarify the review before it goes to City Council. The Commissioners discussed the item. Erickson moved,Peterson seconded,to approve LA22-000008, 1270 Wildhurst Trail,Average Lakeshore Setback Variance as applied with additional clarification provided to Staff before the City Council meeting.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. 2. LA22-000013,JALIN DESIGN,LLC—JEFF LINDGREN,2726 CAROLINE AVENUE, AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE(STAFF: MELANIE CURTIS) Jeff Lindgren,on behalf of the Applicant,was present. Staff presented a summary packet of information. Curtis stated the owners would like to construct additions on the lakeside of their home including a main level expansion of the kitchen and a screen porch which will encroach approximately 15 feet into the Average Lakeshore Setback(ALS). They also plan to rebuild an existing deck with a slightly expanded footprint squaring off some clipped edges of the existing footprint which is 21.5 feet into the ALS. The Applicant has identified the unique shoreline, adjacent homes,and shape and orientation of the subject property as practical difficulties.The proposed additions have been designed to minimize impact to the adjacent properties and to protect their existing views of the lake. Supportive comments have been received by the affected neighbors on each side of the property and are included in the packet. Staff agrees that the location of the existing home with respect to the shoreline and adjacent homes contribute to practical difficulty on the property. Staff recommends approval of the Average Lakeshore Setback as requested. Jeff Lindgren,6514 108t Trail,Brooklyn Park,stated the existing deck is actually a habitable porch which is enclosed and heated; it is falling apart and leaking. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. Page 2 of 3 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,March 21,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Libby agreed it is an unusual property with the way the lot is shaped and the orientation. Erickson also feels this is a reasonable use for the property with many neighboring homes already having been upgraded and the owners are bringing this home closer to the level of the neighborhood. Chair McCutcheon agreed. Libby moved,Erickson seconded,to approve LA22-000013,2726 Caroline Avenue,Average Lakeshore Setback Variance.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. OTHER BUSINESS 3. PC Liaison to City Council Schedule 4. Update on March 14,2022 City Council meeting Barnhart noted the City Council reviewed the Planning Commission recommendations from the February meeting. The hardcover and setback variance for a retaining wall was tabled,the variance at 2590 Watertown Road withdrew their application,and the variance at 65 Stubbs Bay was approved on the Consent Agenda. ADJOURNMENT Libby moved,Erickson seconded,to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting.VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. The Orono Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m. ATTEST: Mark Mc ut n, Chair Page 3 of 3