04-10-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, March 20,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Staff recommends approval of the requested lot area and lot width variances. If the Planning Commission determines that the practical difficulties test is met for the area and width variances, then a recommendation for approval would be in order, subject to the following condition: 1. The applicant shall adhere to the required setbacks and 3 5 percent hardcover limitations with regards to any additional structures and hardcover proposed for the property. Gaffron displayed a survey of the surrounding area and a photograph of the existing house. Leskinen asked if this is the same owner that constructed the house on the property. Gaffron indicated it is. Landgraver noted this application is a little unusual in that what is actually being proposed is unknown. Gaff-ron stated every builder has the option to take advantage of the Shoreland regulations. In this case, the builder has a time deadline and does not want to spend the extra two months going through a variance process. Gaffron stated typically these types of variances are granted and that it would be consistent with the neighborhood since the whole neighborhood is located in Tier 3, which is allowed 35 percent. Gaffron stated if the applicants were asking for excess hardcover for that tier, it would become an issue. Landgraver asked if the City is essentially granting a variance to allow them to build right up to the lot line. Gaffron stated they are not but that they are merely saying this lot at 50 feet wide requires variances in order to get the 35 percent. Gaff-ron stated in the five years that the Shoreland regulation has been in place, the City has encountered a few of these situations. Roman Zhuk, Cube, Inc., stated they would like to construct a 16' x 24' deck on the house. Thiesse asked if the house is 24 feet wide. Zhuk indicated it is. Page 5 of 64