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. It is unknown whether or not two lakeshore lots can be created that meet the dimensional standards of the LR- I B requirements if the existing home is removed. The preferred option of Staff would be to create two conforming lots. The existing home is likely a temporary situation, suggested by common redevelopment of homes of this age when the properties are sold. There is a sufficient buildable area on the property to accommodate a new home in a conforming location. After further analysis, it appears that neither lot in Option I meets the 140 -foot requirement at the lake or at the 75 - foot setback. There could potentially be an option that meets the requirements but Staff does not have that information at this time. If the applicant wishes to create a new lakeshore lot, Staff suggests the applicant show that both lots will meet the 140 -foot requirement in both locations. Comments from the neighbors have been received and are before the Planning Commission this evening. A comment from the applicant's engineer was also received and should be read into the record. Planning Staff recommends denial of lot width variances facilitating an adjustment of the property line. If the Planning Commission can support the variance from the lot width LR- I B standards, Staff prefers Option I regarding the site setback variance for the existing home. The applicant is encouraged to explore alternatives which result in two lots with conforming area and width prior to placement on the City Council agenda. Thiesse requested City Planner Curtis read the letter from Mark Gronberg into the record. Curtis read the following letter into the record: 9� "Bruce, I was very surprised to see the City of Orono interpretation that the lot width at the 75 -foot lakeshore setback should be measured at the inside of the chord rather than the outside of the chord as we have shown on our survey drawing. We have been showing it this way for many years on other projects in Orono and in other adjoining cities as well and have never been questioned on our interpretation. The purpose of a lot width measurement is to show that you have enough room to build a house on the lot. You would certainly not be allowed to build the house at the inside chord line because you would be way too close to the lake. Taking the measurement at the outside of the chord gives a more correct representation of where you can build."