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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLA18-000077 (1335 Arbor St) VAR Ex C Draft PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 17, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair John Thiesse, Commissioners Bob Erickson, Kevin Landgraver, Bruce Lemke, Dennis Libby, Chad Olson, and Jon Ressler. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Planners Melanie Curtis and Laura Oakden, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Dennis Walsh was present. Chair Thiesse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Thiesse noted Item No. 4 has been removed from tonight’s agenda. 5. LA18-000077 JOHN KNOBLAUCH, 1335 ARBOR STREET, VARIANCES, 6:52 P.M. – 7:03 P.M. Jeff Martineau, Developer, was present. Oakden stated the applicant is requesting side street setback and interior side setback variances. This site was the subject of an earlier variance application in January that the Planning Commission subsequently recommended denial on due to the request for a structural coverage variance. In February, the City Council tabled the application and asked the applicants to redesign the home to meet the structural coverage standards and bring the application back through the public hearing process. In April, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval. The City Council then reviewed the application on May 14, 2018, and approved variances for lot area, lot width, front yard, side street, and interior side yard setbacks. The original applicant sold his interest in the project and a new builder has applied for a building permit and is proposing two new encroachments: 1. Expand the house footprint over the approved window well on the interior side of the home; expanding the structure and volume within this setback. 2. Creating a new bump-out within the side street yard setback outside of the approved house footprint; expanding the structure and volume within this setback. These alterations of the building plans are significant enough to warrant additional public. The new home will eliminate the approved window wells and will bring the home 9.5 feet from Prospect Street when 8.5 feet is approved. The applicant is also showing the chimney bump-out at 6.5 feet on the interior side yard. This was not shown on the approved survey but was included as part of the approved house plans. Depending on the roofline, roof overhang or small areas for drainage, water may be able to be mitigated with a gutter system. The applicant must ensure the roof and surface runoff are not directed toward the neighboring property LA18-000077 Council Exhibit C MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 17, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Staff finds there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area, lot width, and proposed setbacks. Due to the size of the lot located within the two-acre RR-1B zoning district. The lot is also unique in that it has street which is abutting three sides of the lot. Public comments were made at the January 16, 2018, Planning Commission meeting in favor of the proposed project. A major concern that came up from the neighborhood was the proposed height of the building and for it to remain a one-story home as to not overshadow the street, which will help the home maintain the character of the neighborhood. This was a discussion by the City Council as well. The new redesigned home is a one-story home with no windows above the first floor. If the Planning Commission has sufficient findings for the requests, Staff would recommend approval of the requested variances. Oakden displayed an aerial photograph of the area and pointed out the location of the existing house. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. Jeff Martineau, Developer, stated he has been shepherding this property since the first application and that the owner of the property and the original applicant have not changed. Martineau indicated he has been working with the purchasers to help them design a plan that would work with the City and their requirements. Since then a builder has reviewed the plans and is recommending some changes. One of the changes was to make the setback variance 9.5 feet on the back of the house. By straightening the wall of the house out, it substantially shrunk the window well area and created a better use of the area between the properties. The party that is building the house will be guttering that side of the house and will do whatever is necessary to carry the water away from there. Martineau stated in his view these are small changes that truly make sense and do not change the structural coverage or hardcover. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. There were no public comments related to this application. Chair Thiesse continued the public hearing to the October 8 City Council meeting. Thiesse stated he would consider these to be minor changes. Thiesse asked if there are any conditions for protecting a window well that is over four feet deep. Oakden stated to her knowledge the City does not have any regulations requiring covering of window wells. Olson moved, Landgraver seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000077, John Knoblauch, 1335 Arbor Street, granting of a side street setback variance and interior side setback variance. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0.