Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, November 24, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> Page 14 of 21 <br /> <br />(8. #14-3697 GARY AND JOAN MARQUARDT, 2617 CASCO POINT ROAD – VARIANCES <br />continued) <br /> <br />Levang stated the applicant was required to fill out a practical difficulties form and that it was up to the <br />applicant to demonstrate that there was a practical difficulty. <br /> <br />Joan Marquardt stated the practical difficulty is that they want to live there and that they are getting older. <br /> <br />Levang stated that unfortunately does not meet the standards for a practical difficulty. Levang stated all <br />people would like to have something different from what they already have but that the Council needs to <br />follow the law. <br /> <br />Joan Marquardt stated the deck would allow them to get down to the ground instead of going down stairs <br />and coming out the side door or going around. Marquardt stated their needs have changed and that they <br />cannot be faulted for getting old. <br /> <br />Levang stated that is not the standard the Council has to look at. <br /> <br />Doug Marquardt stated this is a very narrow lot, so every square foot of change that happens has a larger <br />percentage effect than someone who has a half-acre lot. <br /> <br />Levang stated the deck is an add-on and that he is also asking to approve the addition on top, which also <br />requires variances, but the deck is not essential to the house. <br /> <br />Marquardt asked how big of a difference are they really talking about. <br /> <br />Levang stated he is talking about structural coverage at 19.2 percent when the limit is 15 percent. <br /> <br />Marquardt pointed out the area where the deck would be located. Marquardt asked what that difference <br />would be. <br /> <br />Levang stated she is concerned about the hardcover being at 25 percent and increasing to 27.8 percent and <br />increasing the structural coverage to19.2 percent. <br /> <br />Marquardt stated they are talking about less than 300 square feet. Marquardt asked why they have <br />meetings. Marquardt stated if the City Council is going to hold to the ordinances, they can just publish <br />the numbers in the paper and people need not apply. <br /> <br />McMillan noted in 2001 a structural variance was granted to attach a garage to the house, which is <br />something that is reasonable to a house. <br /> <br />Marquardt stated they had a detached garage that was located 15 feet from the road. Marquardt noted <br />safety was an issue then. Marquardt stated safety is an issue in this application as well. Marquardt <br />indicated he is a citizen of Orono and that he has lived here for 30 years. Marquardt stated he maybe has <br />another 20 years here and that the most important years are when the kids are little.