Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 18,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff has received updated comments today regarding the applicant's revised plan from the adjacent <br /> property owner who provided initial comments. The revised survey and detailed garage plans better <br /> clarify the existing usable space within the applicant's garage. Staff continues to find that creating a <br /> more nonconforming structure is not in character with the neighborhood. The revised addition adds mass <br /> within the eastern side setback area and also within the average lakeshore setback. <br /> The applicant has not demonstrated a reasonable practical difficulty supporting additional structure within <br /> the average lakeshore setback or within the 75-foot setback area. Further,the applicant has failed to <br /> demonstrate that enforcing the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance deprive them of the reasonable use of <br /> the property. <br /> Planning Staff continues to recommend denial of the variances. <br /> Lixiao Wang, Applicant, stated they have downsized their proposal. Wang indicated they currently have <br /> three cars, with two of those vehicles being a truck and an SUV which do not fit into the garage. Wang <br /> stated if they do not do this project,they will have to continue to park the cars outside. <br /> Wang noted the neighbor's house is up higher than his and that the trees currently block the view from the <br /> neighbors. Wang pointed out the location of the trees on the overhead. <br /> Wang indicated their new proposal has been reduced by three feet,which does not provide any additional <br /> space for boats or other equipment and that they are basically asking for a basic three-car garage. Wang <br /> stated if they reduce the proposed garage any further,their cars will not fit in the garage. Wang stated this <br /> is the best option they have. <br /> Thiesse asked if there are three garage doors now. <br /> Wang indicated there are two. <br /> Thiesse stated he did visit the property and that he recalled a two-door garage and something else without <br /> a garage door. <br /> Wang indicated there are not three doors. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. <br /> Leskinen indicated her position has not changed from the last meeting and that in her view there is still a <br /> considerable amount of massing near the shoreline. <br /> Landgraver stated the other point is if fairly common vehicles do not fit in the garage that obstructs the <br /> neighbor's view already and the cars will remain parked outside,that is worth some consideration. As <br /> proposed,the vehicles will be put away inside a symmetrical building rather than sitting outside, which <br /> seems to make sense. <br /> Page 2 of 35 <br />