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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 19,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Libby indicated he would be in favor of a variance. <br /> Olson stated he struggles with it if it is approved because of what kind of precedent will be set. The <br /> Planning Commission is supposed to uphold the setback lines, and as it stands right now, the house <br /> encroaches more than what he can be comfortable with. <br /> Erickson stated given the shape of the shoreline and the way it meanders and turns,that could be the basis <br /> for a practical difficulty. Orono has a lot of shoreline that is straighter than this and not too many that are <br /> curved like this. <br /> Erickson stated the parts that concern him have more to do with the procedure and the City's previous <br /> history with this property. The first proposal had multiple cul-de-sacs and multiple gates and multiple <br /> issues. The applicants then came back with a revised plan and the proposal was enormously improved, <br /> which the applicants deserve credit for. All the objections were removed, including any need for <br /> variances. <br /> Erickson stated he asked at that time specifically about whether this shape creates a situation where they <br /> are going to come back and ask for more variances and he was assured that wouldn't happen. The <br /> Planning Commission was further assured by the drawing at that time that showed the house right up <br /> against the line and not crossing it. Erickson noted that plan has yet to be finally approved by the City <br /> Council but the applicants are now asking for a variance. Erickson commented he has seen this type of <br /> hearing happen in many cities and the thing that consistently drives cities crazy is somebody gets <br /> approved for a certain plan and then one day it gets built and it is different. Erickson stated maybe the <br /> fact that the applicants are bringing in this change before the other part is approved prevents the City from <br /> getting surprised. <br /> Erickson stated he also has a little concern about the previous drawing showing the setback line in a <br /> somewhat different place and that in his view it is reasonable for the applicants to go by that line and not <br /> another line that is further back. Erickson stated it looks like there is not only that change but the <br /> applicants have also decided to redesign the house to intrude even more, which is somewhat problematic. <br /> Landgraver asked if the preliminary plat was approved by the City Council. <br /> Curtis indicated it has been and the final plat is on the November 26 agenda. <br /> Landgraver noted they did not discuss the average lakeshore setback previously because the Planning <br /> Commission was attempting to get a lot without the need for any variances. At that time the average <br /> lakeshore setback line did not seem to be the main consideration and the applicants did the right thing by <br /> bringing in Mark Gronberg. Landgraver stated regardless of that,he does not feel the Planning <br /> Commission is bound to stick with the previous average lakeshore setback. <br /> Thiesse stated there was a house footprint that was shown on the plan previously that was compliant with <br /> the old line. <br /> Eric Vogstrom stated if the line had not been moved,they would not have come back requesting a <br /> variance. Vogstrom stated they did not know it was incorrect and that they assumed it was correct. <br /> Vogstrom commented they are not trying to pull a fast one and that he hopes the City can compromise <br /> and say that this plan makes more sense. <br /> Page 7 of 13 <br />