P.C. minutes/3-17-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 17,2014 6:30 o'clock p.m. Zimmerman submitted some pictures of the property prior to Mr. Randgaard owning the house. Zimmerman indicated there was never a three-season porch or a patio but a room that extended out three to four feet that contained a hot tub. Zimmerman stated the only use of the decks on this property has been as party decks and that large, industrial speakers were placed on them. As a result of the noise,the police were called many times in the early morning hours and that he is totally opposed to creating additional hardcover and putting a deck where there was never a deck previously. Zimmerman commented rain gardens are great and that he is supportive of those as well as the sidewalk since the sidewalk was previously overgrown with vegetation. Zimmerman stated rebuilding the existing deck off the family room is also not a problem but that he would strongly argue against putting another deck onto this house that was never there in the first place. Zimmerman indicated the other neighbor feels the same way but is currently in Florida. Zimmerman stated he would like to get some resolution to the problems. Zimmerman noted he had to call the police a couple of weeks because the door to the house was left wide open in 20 below weather and that he has no idea what is happening with the house. The police informed him that no one was in the house and that they closed the door. Zimmerman indicated this has been a bad situation for a long time. Lemke asked what was under the hot tub and whether there was any support. Zimmerman indicated he is not aware of what was under there and that he is assuming it was built up in some fashion. Schwingler asked what he feels about the proposed buffer with or without the deck. Zimmerman indicated he does not have a problem with the buffer, but that he would not be in favor of creating another deck since it would be close to the property line. Zimmerman stated the decks in the past have been used to hold large parties and that the police records reflect all the calls to that property. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Landgraver stated what he is troubled with is the characterization of the west patio, and asked whether it was permitted for something to be there. Gaffron stated according to the photographs,there appears to be a shed or roof next to the house,and because there is a valley coming down in that area,that is probably why there was a gap there. Landgraver asked if at some point a deck enclosure was constructed. Gaffron indicated there likely was but that he is not sure whether it was approved by the City. Landgraver asked if the issue is that they are not rebuilding an in-kind structure. Curtis stated based on the 2007 survey, it does not appear that it is entirely consistent with the structures on the property. Curtis indicated it is difficult to go back in time to see what was there to see if they are Page 9 of 26