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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 16,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Acting Chair Bruce Lemke, Commissioners Bob Erickson, Dennis Libby,Mark McCutcheon,Chad <br /> Olson,Jon Ressler,and Alternate Jan Berg. Representing Staff were Community Development Director <br /> Jeremy Barnhart, City Planners Melanie Curtis and Laura Oakden, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor <br /> Dennis Walsh was present. <br /> Acting Chair Lemke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF <br /> JUNE 18,2018 <br /> Libby moved,Olson seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council meeting of <br /> June 18,2018, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0,Berg Abstained <br /> 2. LA18-000060 JAY MITTELSTAEDT, 1980 HERITAGE LANE,VARIANCE,6:33 P.M.— <br /> 6:40 P.M. <br /> Gregory Gruman, Applicant,was present. <br /> Oakden stated the applicant is requesting a front yard setback variance and is proposing to remove an <br /> existing detached accessory building located 19.6 feet from the front yard setback and replace it with a <br /> larger garage that will be attached to the home and constructed to reduce the existing front yard setback, <br /> which is currently at 2.6 feet. The front yard of this property abuts Heritage Drive and the home is <br /> oriented towards the Dakota Trail. The home sits at the end of a cul-de-sac and there are no additional <br /> houses beyond this property. <br /> The applicant has stated the most practical location for the proposed structure is in the same location of <br /> the detached shed. The house,driveway,site topography,wetlands,and the existing landscape make it <br /> difficult to position the proposed structure in any other location. The applicant is also proposing to <br /> increase the hardcover from 5.5 percent to 7.1 percent. Structural coverage does not pertain to this site. <br /> Staff finds there are practical difficulties with the property to grant a front yard setback variance due to <br /> the location of the wetland,topography of the lot,and orientation of the home. <br /> One public comment was received over the weekend in support of the project and is before the Planning <br /> Commission tonight. <br /> Staff would support a motion recommending approval of the proposed variance. <br /> Libby stated he would like to see the aerial photographs of the property. <br /> Oakden displayed an aerial photograph of the property, noting there is some screening currently on the <br /> property in the front. <br /> Page 1 of 13 <br />