08-16-1999 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR AUGUST 16, 1999 • ROLL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Acting Chair Sandra Smith, Commissioners Daniel Kluth,William Stoddard, Dale Lindquist, and Jay Nygard. Commissioners Elizabeth Hawn and Janice Berg were absent. The following represented City Staff: Zoning Administrator Paul Weinberger, Assistant Zoning Administrator Kris Jenson, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Jabbour was present. Acting Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARINGS (#1) TODD KIMMIS,2102 SUGARWOOD DRIVE -REVIEW FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION WITHIN SUGAR WOODS PLAT, 6:31 p.m. -6:44 p.m. The Certificate of Mailing and Affidavit of Publication were noted. Todd Kimmis,Applicant, was present. Weinberger stated due to the special review procedure established for requests that do not meet the covenants and special zoning requirements within Sugar Woods, the Planning Commission assumes the sole responsibility for the review and final recommendations regarding requests for special consideration. The Applicant in this case is requesting a driveway ten feet from the side property line where 30 feet is required. Under this special review procedure, the Applicant does have the right to appeal the Planning Commission decision to the City Council at their next available meeting. IIIWeinberger stated the special conditions placed on the development requires that any improvements that occur on the property must do so within the required building setbacks. Setback requirements for this lot are front 50 feet, rear 50 feet, and side 30 feet. The proposed driveway is a hardcover improvement and would be required to meet the 30 foot side yard setback. The Applicant is proposing to construct a side loaded garage. In an effort to preserve some mature trees that exist on the property, the property owner has requested the house be built near the front of the property, thus requiring the garage to be located closer to the side lot line than would be necessary if the house were built further from the street. Weinberger remarked that the adjoining property owner has submitted a letter in support of this application. City Staff is recommending approval of this application. Kimmis stated that he is requesting the setback variance in order to construct a side loaded garage at the proposed location in an effort to save some mature trees that exist on his property. Chair Smith inquired whether the proposed house and garage are outside of the tree root system. Kimmis stated that they are staying outside the drip line of the trees, which is assumed as the edge of the root system. Kimmis commented that he purchased the lot due to the large number of trees on the property, and in his opinion this is the best location for the house and garage. There were no public comments. III 1