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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 4.16.18MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April 16, 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, and Jon Ressler. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Planners Melanie Curtis and Laura Oakden, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Wendy Dankey and Mayor Dennis Walsh were present. Chair Thiesse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. LA18-000033 JEFF MARTINEAU, 1335 ARBOR STREET, VARIANCES, 6:34 P.M. – 6:44 P.M. Jeff Martineau, Applicant, was present. Oakden noted this application is a resubmittal of a variance request for 1335 Arbor Street. The applicant is requesting multiple variances for lot area, lot width, front setback, side street setback, and interior side setback. The applicant had previously requested the same setback variances as well as a structural coverage variance. The Planning Commission at its January meeting denied the request due to the structural coverage variance. The City Council, at its February 2, 2018, meeting, tabled the application and asked the applicant to redesign the home to meet the structural coverage standards and to bring the application back through the public hearing process. The applicant is now proposing to construct a new home, replacing an existing home on the property. The proposed home will be more centered on the lot. The site is a corner and through lot with streets on three of the four sides. The new residence will be a ramble style home with a full basement and a two- stall garage and deck. The lot is located in the RR-1B, two-acre zoning district, and the lot is extremely small at 0.20 acres in a zoning requiring two acres. The applicant is requesting a 40-foot front yard setback where 50 feet is required. In addition, the applicant is requesting a 7.5 interior side yard setback where 10 feet is required and an 8.5-foot side street setback where 30 feet is required. The front and interior side yard setbacks seem reasonable for the small lot location. The proposed site plan shows window wells which encroach closer to the setbacks than the principal building. Per City Code, window wells are permitted to encroach into the setback but not extend more than five feet from the building. Staff finds there are practical difficulties inherent to the lot area, lot width, and proposed setbacks due to the size of the lot. The lot is also unique in that it has street abutting three sides of the lot. Staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April 16, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Martineau, Applicant, stated as the Planning Commission is aware, the previous application requested a structural coverage variance. Martineau stated at first blush he did not believe he could construct the house to meet the structural coverage without building a two-story, but after further consideration and discussions with the property owners, the proposal is for a full basement rambler style home with a two- stall garage and a deck. As it relates to the fireplace, Martineau stated hopefully that can be resolved by calling it a cantilever and working within the setbacks. If that is not possible, it will have to be moved within the footprint. Libby asked if the additional dimensions affect any egress or ingress points. Martineau stated if Commissioner Libby is asking whether they have the ability to service lower bedrooms with egress, arrangements have been made that the lower bedroom windows would be able to be accessed egress-wise by the window wells. The other window wells would be located on the left side of the residence and do not require a variance. Libby stated he was more concerned about egress and ingress versus for exits and entrances versus the egress windows. Martineau noted the door faces Prospect but there is a sidewalk that goes to the garage, which exits onto Arbor Street. As it relates to other egress areas in the house, the patio with a sliding glass door is located off the eating area and is located on grade. To the right side of the house, there would be an access to the garage. Martineau noted the egresses are the front door facing Prospect, the garage door, and the patio door on the main floor. Thiesse asked if he substantially reduced the pitch of the roof. Martineau indicated they did. The approximate height of the new roof is 27 feet. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:42 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 6:42 p.m. Landgraver commented the applicants have done a good job at redesigning the house. Thiesse stated in his view the house will fit the neighborhood well. Ressler stated he does not disagree and that it is compatible with the other homes in the area. Erickson commented it is an attractive design. Landgraver moved, Erickson seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000033, Jeff Martineau on behalf of Barbara Garcia, 1335 Arbor Street, granting of variances to lot area, lot width, front setback, side street setback, and interior side setback. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0.