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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,October 21,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> reasons why he would like to extend the garage. Wang noted they are not extending the height of the <br /> garage but just the length. <br /> Wang stated in his opinion the proposal will not affect anyone's view on the east side. Wang stated he is <br /> requesting the encroachment into the 75-foot setback area since the proposal would not work otherwise. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 8:27 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m. <br /> Thiesse stated in his view an 18-foot garage is a practical difficulty but that he is not sure whether <br /> extending the garage 12 feet is the answer and that perhaps six feet would be more reasonable. Thiesse <br /> noted a pickup or a Suburban will not fit in an 18-foot garage. <br /> Leskinen indicated she visited the site and that in her view 12 feet is too much. Leskinen stated she is not <br /> sure if there is any spot for a detached garage on the property but that is one option that could be <br /> considered. <br /> Thiesse noted the existing garage is not practical in his opinion and that extending the garage would help. <br /> Landgraver asked whether a detached garage could be located on the property. <br /> Curtis indicated the wooded area is dry buildable area and that the applicant could locate a detached <br /> structure between the street and the house. Curtis stated there is ample room to locate a 1200 square foot <br /> detached garage on the property. <br /> Lemke asked if Staff would be fine with a 6-foot extension and whether that would solve the problem. <br /> Curtis stated in Staff's opinion it would not. <br /> Leskinen stated the issue she is struggling with, given the fact that this is a new owner of the property, is <br /> that perhaps the applicant should have thought of that prior to purchase the property. Leskinen stated she <br /> is not sure how a person would be able to turn around with that large of an addition on the garage. <br /> Curtis stated with the way the property is currently situated,the applicant does have a driveway easement <br /> that extends onto the property to the east. Curtis stated even with the extension of the driveway, it would <br /> be difficult to back up and turn around with another car in the driveway. Curtis noted the garage addition <br /> does take up a portion of the driveway and reduces maneuverability. Curtis stated it is a long driveway to <br /> back out of. <br /> Thiesse commented it is also a long driveway to walk up to the garage. <br /> Schoenzeit stated given the fact that the garage is a single-story,there is some reasonableness in the <br /> request,but that he agrees 12 feet is too much. Schoenzeit concurred that an 18-foot garage is not <br /> functional and that perhaps an acceptable solution could be reached. <br /> McGrann asked if the City has received any comments from the neighbors. <br /> Page 21 of 42 <br />