09/18/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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. , � MINUTES OF THE • ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,September 18,2006 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Cynthia Bremer, Commissioners Roland Jurgens,David Rahn,Ralph Kempf,and Dick Kroeger. Representing Staff were Planning Director Mike Gaffron,Planners Melanie Curtis and Evelyn Turner, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Lili McMillan was present. Chair Bremer called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. NEW BUSINESS 1. #06-3224 MICHAEL SHARRATT OF SHARRATT DESIGN& COMPANY ON BEHALF OF THOMAS AND REBECCA LOWE,3295 CARMAN ROAD,VARIANCE,6:03—6:42 P.M. Thomas Lowe,Applicant, and Michael Sharratt,Architect,were present. Curtis stated the applicant has provided revised hardcover and structural coverage calculations since the Planner's report was prepared. The applicant is requesting lot area and 75-250' hardcover variances in order to allow consiruction of a new home on a lot 0.45 acre in area where 1.0 acre is required and to allow 4,005 square feet or 40.8 percent hardcover where 25 percent is normally allowed. The proposed home exceeds the 15 percent limit; therefore, a structural coverage variance is requested as well. The existing home encroaches into the required 10-foot required side setback and exceeds,the 15 percent structural coverage limit. The applicant is proposing to construct a new home in a similar location to the existing structure but will remove a side setback encroachment and will be conforming with the structural coverage limit at 14.8 percent. The applicant is requesting the hardcover variance based on the unique shape of the lot,which is a hardship in their opinion. The City Engineer has not had an opportunity to review the revised plans but he has expressed concerns to Staff regarding the lakeside patio and the lowest floor elevation at 945 feet. The proposed lakeside grade elevation is 946.5 feet. The City Engineer feels the applicant should address the potential for water to stand in this area without the potential to drain away from the house. Planning Staff recommends approval of the lot area variance and approval of some level of hardcover � variance as the Planning Commission deems appropriate, subject to a grading and drainage plan that ' meets the City Engineer's approvaL Lowe stated he has resided in Orono for almost 50 years and that they would love to remain in the area. Lowe stated they would like to construct a new residence and they have attempted to design a house that will meet as many of Orono's codes as possible as well as create a structure that would be an improvement to the neighborhood and the city. Due to the crumbling foundation,they have been advised - it would be cost prohibitive to remodel the structure. PAGE 1