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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 15,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> percent of the entire lot area yields just over 2,400 square feet of hardcover allowance. The applicant is <br /> proposing a house and driveway totaling just under 1,600 square feet of hardcover so no hardcover <br /> variance is required. <br /> Gaffron stated as it relates to the building height,the proposed house appears to meet the City's <br /> established height limitations of 30 feet and 2-1/2 stories. As depicted,the proposed structure has a <br /> defined height of approximately 23 feet, a peak height of approximately 29 feet, and is defined as a two- <br /> story structure with no basement. The lower level would be defined as a story. No variance is necessary <br /> for the height of the structure. <br /> Gaffron noted Staff's report contains the practical difficulties analysis as well as an analysis of the <br /> consistency of the proposal with the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Staff finds the following: <br /> 1. The property does not meet the criteria established by state statute and City Code to be deemed <br /> buildable without variances being granted. <br /> 2. The City is not obligated to grant variances to allow this property to be buildable. <br /> 3. The fact that a summer hoe existed on the property many decades ago does not provide an <br /> inherent right to build a home on the property. <br /> 4. The parcel has historically been assessed at a valuation significantly below that of a buildable <br /> site. <br /> 5. In past actions the City has generally denied lot area variances for vacant lots of less than 10,000 <br /> square feet. <br /> 6. The original plat designation as"Commons" strongly suggests that this site was originally platted <br /> as a neighborhood amenity rather than as an individual building site. <br /> Page 37 of 59 <br />