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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, November 24, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> Page 15 of 21 <br /> <br />(8. #14-3697 GARY AND JOAN MARQUARDT, 2617 CASCO POINT ROAD – VARIANCES <br />continued) <br /> <br />McMillan stated everyone’s home is difficult for whatever reason in different periods of someone’s life <br />but that the City’s structural lot limit is very important. McMillan stated the structural coverage limit is <br />necessary to keep the proper sized house on a lot. At times the City Council has allowed variances to <br />structural coverage for people who have very tiny lots and need a garage, which is a different set of <br />circumstances. McMillan stated one of the factors in determining whether a variance should be granted is <br />whether the property can be put to a reasonable manner, which it can be in this situation without the <br />second deck. McMillan indicated the City Council has to apply the code as fairly as best they can. <br /> <br />Marquardt stated he would suggest the City Council ask themselves what is the advantage here and what <br />is the greater good that will happen from the decision that they make. <br /> <br />Printup stated he struggled with the hardcover piece the most and that he is okay with going up with the <br />addition. Printup noted the City went through a pretty significant review a few years back. Printup stated <br />in going through that process, he thought to himself that the Council has actually become more lenient on <br />hardcover, which he was happy with. Printup stated he always tries to be flexible, which is why in his <br />view it is reasonable to go upward, but that he has an issue with the deck. <br /> <br />Marquardt noted the deck is a couple hundred square feet. <br /> <br />Printup stated that is the other part of being reasonable, but being that the City’s hardcover limits have <br />already been relaxed, he is struggling with it. <br /> <br />Marquardt stated from a citizen’s standpoint the ordinances are difficult to understand. Marquardt stated <br />he can see when they are dealing with lots of houses and a number of acres, but that this is a small house. <br />Marquardt noted it is not a decision that affects any of the other Orono citizens. <br /> <br />Printup suggested the two requests be broken up by the City Council. <br /> <br />Printup moved, Levang seconded, Application No. 14-3697, Gary and Joan Marquardt, 2617 Casco <br />Point Road, granting of side and rear setback variances allowing the second story additions. <br /> <br />Bremer stated she is going to vote in support of the entire application. Bremer stated the Casco Point <br />neighborhood is a very unique neighborhood and that the lot is not brand new. Bremer stated the <br />applicants are not ripping down a perfectly good house and disrupting everything. Bremer stated it also <br />speaks volumes that all the neighbors are here supporting it and that they would not do that unless they <br />thought long and hard about the impact. Bremer stated in her view in this particular instance the equity is <br />on the side of granting it. <br /> <br />VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. <br /> <br />Bremer moved on Application No. 14-3697, Gary and Joan Marquardt, 2617 Casco Point Road, to <br />approve hardcover and structural coverage variances to permit construction of a lakeside deck <br />consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation.