16-3851 ExD Draft PC Minutes 091920

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 19, 2016 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 Bruce Lemke, Denise Leskinen, Chad Olson, Loren Schoenzeit and Jon Schwingler. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. Mayor McMillan arrived at 6:55 p.m. 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 at the request of the applicants. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2016 Leskinen moved, Olson seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of August 15, 2016, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. 2. #16-3851 PETER BLUTH, 2413 CARMAN STREET, VARIANCE, 6:32 P.M. – 6:35 P.M. Peter Bluth, Applicant, was present. Curtis stated the City Council recently approved variances allowing a second story addition over the existing detached garage, which is a nonconforming oversized accessory structure. There were a number of plan revisions between the initial submission and final plans for approval. In the revision process, the bathroom fixtures originally proposed in the detached garage upstairs were inadvertently removed from the plans. Staff also missed this omission. The applicants do wish to install a half bath in the upper level of the detached garage. An oversized accessory structure must meet a minimum of a 30-foot setback from all property lines. Plumbing may be installed within a conforming accessory building via an administrative plumbing permit, but because the required 30-foot setbacks are not met, a variance is necessary to permit plumbing within the structure. Staff finds that the nonconforming location of the oversized garage constitutes a practical difficulty with respect to making any typical residential improvements such as plumbing. The Planning Commission may wish to discuss the practical difficulty analysis contained in Staff’s report. Staff recommends approval of the variance as requested. Staff would also suggest the applicant apply a recorded covenant which states that the accessory building will not be: 1 Used for a home occupation unless specifically approved by the City or if allowed by this Code. 2. Used as a dwelling unless a guest house conditional use permit is obtained.