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. stated the question is why the southerly lot was not given lakeshore access at that time. Gaffron indicated it is unlikely Staff would be able to find the answer to that. Thiesse asked if there is anything in the Code that prohibits people from having gerrymandered lot lines. Gaffron stated to his knowledge there is nothing in the code prohibiting it as long as the lots are conforming but that the City creates nonconforming width lots every time there is a cul-de-sac. hi this situation the applicants are taking two lots, one lakeshore and one non-lakeshore, and turning the non-lakeshore lot into a lakeshore lot. Lemke commented it makes sense to create two lakeshore lots by looking at where the building pad will be. Lemke stated in his view it would not be a horrible situation but that he would like to see it work if at all possible. Thiesse stated it appears it cannot be granted based on the practical difficulty statement. Thiesse asked whether the Planning Commission can request a revised practical difficulties statement. Schoenzeit stated the practical difficulty is the shape of the land and not the economics. Thiesse noted the Planning Commission cannot write that for the applicant and that it would have to be revised. Leskinen stated economics cannot be the only factor in determining a practical difficulty. Thiesse asked whether the Planning Commission could approve the application with the caveat that the applicants submit a better practical difficulty statement. V466 Schoenzeit stated the practical difficulty statement should be more in line with the difficulty of the land. Barnhart stated the practical difficulty statement is intended to give the Planning Commission reasons to recommend support or denial. Barnhart stated if the applicants did not meet the practical difficulty standard, the Planning Commission is obligated to recommend denial. Barnhart stated the Planning Commission uses the practical difficulty statement when they review the application and that they cannot write the practical difficulty statement for the applicant. Schoenzeit commented the Planning Commission could give the applicant the option to table it.