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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 18,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 4. #14-3650 JEFFREY DAVIDSON ON BEHALF OF DONALD AND JOANNE <br /> DAVIDSON, 568 KEENE AVENUE,VARIANCE, 7:03 P.M.—7:07 P.M. <br /> Jeffrey Davidson, Applicant, was present. <br /> Curtis stated the subject property is approximately a half acre lot within the two acre RR-1B District. The <br /> house is set back 30 feet from the rear property line where a 50-foot setback is required. Variances were <br /> granted at the time of the house construction allowing its location as built. <br /> The applicant is requesting rear yard and side street yard setback variances to construct an 8' x 14' <br /> addition over an existing second level deck. In October of 2013,the applicant requested a permit from <br /> the City in order to construct a second story addition over an existing deck. The deck's construction <br /> created a water issue in the home and the applicant hopes the addition with a roof will alleviate the water <br /> issue. A permit could not be issued without variances due to the nonconforming setback. <br /> Curtis displayed photographs of the house and second level deck. Curtis pointed out the deck that would <br /> be replaced with the addition. <br /> The applicant's 112 square foot addition does not propose to increase the existing nonconforming <br /> setbacks. The increased mass of the addition will be completely screened by the house from the Keene <br /> Avenue and will be relatively hidden from views off the property from the east and south due to existing <br /> vegetation. <br /> Staff finds the existing location of the home and the water damage situation to be a practical difficulty. It <br /> appears the applicant's proposal will correct the water leakage issues. A second option for the applicant <br /> is to remove the egress doors from the second floor room and construct a sloped roof over the first floor <br /> room in place of the deck to correct the leaking. <br /> Planning Staff recommends approval of the variances allowing the 8' x 14' addition 41 feet from the rear <br /> lot line and 47.9 feet from the south lot line where 50-foot setbacks are required. <br /> Davidson indicated he had nothing to add to Staffs report. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. <br /> Leskinen noted there are no additional encroachments and the addition is designed to correct the water <br /> problem. Leskinen stated in her view it would not create any visual impacts for the neighbors. <br /> Thiesse stated in his view practical difficulty has been shown given the water issues. <br /> Schoenzeit moved,Lemke seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 14-3650,Jeffrey <br /> Davidson on behalf of Donald and Joanne Davidson,568 Keene Avenue,granting of rear yard and <br /> side street yard setback variances in order to construct an 8' x 14' addition over an existing second <br /> level deck,subject to Staff recommendations. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> Page 7 of 11 <br />