06-25-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,June 25,2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. 14. LA18-55 PAUL VOGSTROM OB/O WILLIAM AND SUE DUNKLEY,2709 WALTERS PORT LANE,SKETCH PLAN—Continued Kelly Hueler indicated Mr. and Mrs. Dunkley do and that they have a one-third undivided interest. Eric Vogstrom,Casco Point Road,stated the Dunkleys have lived there since 1984 and the Habermans eventually sold their property to the Dunkleys due to the required upkeep. Vogstrom stated the lot was somewhat junky with some concrete,other debris, and downed trees. The Dunkleys' main objective was to obtain some more land. When the Huelers found out the Dunkleys purchased the Haberman property, they had a conversation in which the Huelers said they wanted more privacy. The Dunkleys worked with the Huelers for a little while and offered to sell them some property for the sale price that they paid for it, which was not acceptable to the Huelers. Vogstrom noted the Huelers have to cross over 600 feet of Dunkleys' property,which does not provide much privacy for the Dunkleys. Vogstrom noted the Dunkleys did not know once they combined the lots that they would have to meet those requirements,and while ignorance is no excuse,the Huelers are saying a lot of things that are definitely inaccurate. Vogstrom stated the Dunkleys only received one variance to build in the 0-75 foot zone and that they did not cause the difficulty with the new lot because their whole new addition is within the 0-75. Curtis pointed out the Dunkleys average setback is based on the two adjacent homes. Eric Vogstrom stated the Dunkleys did not receive multiple variances for their new addition and that they basically got rid of the hot tub and built over it. Vogstrom stated the Dunkleys are at 65 percent hardcover and that their entire house is within the 0-75. Vogstrom stated the only way to attach the addition was to build within the setback. The Dunkleys now have four and half acres and they are not trying to cram something into a small area. Vogstrom indicated they are willing to listen to the City Council and that the previous sketch plan went well until the undivided issue in the easement came up. Vogstrom stated the attorneys will work that out. In addition,the Dunkleys have met with all the neighbors and that they have gone out of their way to make them happy. When the Dunkleys did their remodel in 2008,the Dunkleys paid over$150,000 to fix the sea wall,which benefited the neighbors. Vogstrom commented it is the same thing with the whole swampy area and the trees and that all the Dunkleys want to do is clean it up and improve it. Vogstrom stated it was too much upkeep for the previous property owner,which is why they sold it. Vogstrom encouraged the City Council to go out to the property and look at it. Vogstrom noted they are not blocking the line of sight and that they did not create the issue with the land. Crosby asked how much further back the new house would go. Eric Vogstrom indicated the closest part would be 17 feet and that the area in the front is a potential pool. Vogstrom stated the proposed home is way beyond the 75-foot setback and that given the big weeping willow tree and other trees in that area,the Huelers have no views over that. Vogstrom noted they can trim up some of those trees to improve the Huelers' view and that they are willing to work with them. Vogstrom stated it is his belief the one window that will have its view obscured is in a master closet. Page 11 of 21