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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 22,2019 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> neighboring home locations,the existing home is approximately 19 feet ahead of the average lakeshore <br /> setback line. <br /> The applicant would like to construct a small addition to the home over the deck on the lakeside but not <br /> further toward the lake than the existing home. An open pergola-roofed area is proposed to be <br /> constructed lakeward of the new addition on a new elevated patio. The patio will be elevated 30 inches <br /> from grade,which is permitted in the average lakeshore setback. <br /> The existing lake side grade-level deck will be removed and replaced with a larger patio and then elevated <br /> 30 inches from existing grade. Construction of an addition to fill in a notched-in area to the home and an <br /> open pergola-roofed area on the new patio is also proposed. The proposed improvements will extend as <br /> much as 11 feet closer to the lake than the existing home and approximately 33 feet into the average <br /> lakeshore setback. The patio is less than 42 inches from grade and therefore is not required to be located <br /> behind the average lakeshore setback line. <br /> The proposed improvements will be entirely lakeward of the average lakeshore setback line. The <br /> applicants' home encroaches into the average lakeshore setback line and there is no conforming location <br /> on the lake side of the home to construct structural improvements. The neighboring properties likely have <br /> no lake views over the applicant's property as both of the adjacent homes are oriented away from this <br /> property. A variance to allow the structural improvements to encroach up to 33 feet ahead of the average <br /> lakeshore setback is requested. <br /> The applicant's property fronts on a long channel and is somewhat disconnected from the lake. The <br /> configuration of the subject property along the end of the channel creates a unique view. The neighboring <br /> home to the south at 855 Forest Arms Lane is set back further on their property than the subject home. It <br /> has no lake view of the applicant's property and their home is oriented to the south. The neighbor to the <br /> north faces more directly west toward the channel rather than over the applicant's property. The <br /> properties along the lake side of Forest Arms Lane have deep lake yards and the homes are situated nearer <br /> to the street side of the properties. <br /> The depth of the lake yards,combined with the curvature of the channel shoreline, result in difficulty for <br /> the property owner in identifying a conforming location for improvements to their property. In addition, <br /> there are mature trees separating the applicant's property from both of their neighbors which will likely <br /> screen most of the views of the improvements. <br /> Staff finds practical difficulties supporting the variances given the location of the existing home,the <br /> orientation and location of the neighboring homes,the depth of the lake yard, and the channel character of <br /> the lake shoreline. <br /> Public comments have been received and have been included in the Planning Commission's packet. <br /> Planning Staff recommends approval of the average lakeshore setback variance to allow construction of <br /> the home addition and pergola as shown on the proposed plans. Approval should be subject to the <br /> applicant providing an updated survey accurately depicting the existing conditions as well as the proposed <br /> improvements prior to issuance of any permits for the project. <br /> Landgraver asked what the constraint would be for a second story to be placed on the pergola in the <br /> future. <br /> Page 10 of 20 <br />