08/20/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,August 20,2012 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Flanning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Loren Schoenzeit Commissioners Lizz Levang,Jon Schwingler,Bruce Lemke,Denise Leskinen, Kevin Landgraver, and John Thiesse. Representing Staff were Assistant City Administrator for Long- Term Strategic Planning Mike Gaffron,Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis,and Recorder Jackie Young. City Council Member Cynthia Bremer was present. Chair Schoenzeit called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA Lemke moved,Schwingler seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. *1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 16,2012 Lemke moved,Schwingler seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of July 16,2012,as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 2. #12-3568 JIM SMITH OF CONCEPT LANDSCAPING ON EHALF OF WILLIAM AND ANITA ROUSE,4051 HIGHWOOD ROAD,VARIANCE AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, 6:32 P.M.-6:38 P.M. Jim Smith, Concept Landscaping,was present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting hardcover variances within the 0-75 foot zone in order to remove and replace the lake yard stair. A conditional use permit is also required as the amount of disturbance in the 0-75 foot zone exceeds 10 cubic yards. The applicants would like to reconstruct and reconfigure their lake access stair system to make it safer and allow for better screening from the lake. The current stairway is approximately 20 inches wide. The lake access stair hardcover is allowed hardcover within the 0-75 foot zone. However,the new stair configuration will increase hardcover by 251 square feet and must be reviewed and approved as a variance. The hardcover will increase from 14.5 percent to 16.2 percent. The increase is the result of widening the stair to the code-allowed 4-foot width. In addition,the applicant is proposing earth movement exceeding 10 cubic yards within 75 feet of the lake,which requires a conditional use permit. Although the applicant's grading activity is very minimal and may not quite trigger the conditional use permit requirements, Staff feels it would be appropriate to follow the conditional use permit review analysis. The City Engineer has reviewed the plans from a stability and safety perspective and has generally approved the applicant's plans. The public hearing should address any additional non-engineering related concerns regarding erosion prevention or stabilization of slope,natural re-vegetation and appearance from the lake, excess hardcover and impacts to adjacent properties. Page 1