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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 20,2019 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Paidosh indicated he spoke with Christine Mattson originally trying to understand what the rules are and <br /> the required setbacks. A meeting was then held with the architect to discuss the home design and an <br /> updated survey was required to determine the building envelope. The architect then notified them that the <br /> structure would exceed the setbacks due to the change in access. The architect suggested a meeting be <br /> held with the City of Orono to discuss the possibility of a lakeside variance. Paidosh indicated he met in <br /> early January with Jeremy Barnhart,who then proposed the option of vacating the rights-of-way and <br /> stated in his view he felt Staff would be open-minded to that versus pursuing a variance. <br /> The vacation application was then submitted along with all the other proper documents. Staff informed <br /> us at that time that Planning Staff was now not supportive of the request and that a variance might be <br /> better. Paidosh stated after discussing the matter, he and his wife decided not to pull the application. <br /> Paidosh noted building plans and setbacks are not required for land vacation and that they cannot create <br /> structure drawings until after the vacation application. <br /> Paidosh stated they would like to treat Bluff Street as an unimproved right-of-way, with the rationale that <br /> 50 percent goes to one side and 50 percent to the other. If a line is drawn from that point up to the <br /> neighbor on the west,that would allow the house to shift down without pursuing a vacation, and what <br /> Jeremy had proposed solved the setback problem. <br /> Paidosh stated this is not an attempt at a land grab for either himself or his neighbor and that he would be <br /> accepting additional tax liability without receiving much use of the land due to the proposed easement to <br /> maintain the catch basin and storm water pipe. The easement would prevent him from building on the <br /> vacated land. The house could probably be slid up slightly from the current setback and they are not <br /> constructing a McMansion. Paidosh stated the only benefit he would get is the ability to build a new <br /> structure beyond the current setback. <br /> Until the first meeting with Jeremy,they were not aware of a land vacation and their intent in meeting <br /> with Staff was to gain guidance and understand what a reasonable lakeside setback for the structure would <br /> be and to help keep the costs down. Paidosh commented the process has been a bit frustrating due to the <br /> lack of continuity within the Planning Department in supporting the vacation application. Paidosh <br /> suggested this option not be discussed if there is no appetite for supporting it and that he is open to other <br /> suggestions. <br /> Erickson asked whether a new driveway would be created. <br /> Paidosh indicated there would be and that they have had to go to all-wheel drive vehicles due to issues <br /> with their current driveway. The other side has a more gradual slope and that they look at this as an <br /> opportunity to relocate it. <br /> Erickson stated any time someone can have their entrance on a lower traffic road,that has very positive <br /> implications for traffic safety. <br /> Paidosh stated his triplets will be driving soon and it is a safety factor. In fairness to Planning Staff,they <br /> have been supportive of the driveway relocation. <br /> Thiesse asked whether they could access from the other side if the garage is placed on that side of the <br /> house. <br /> Page 3 of 16 <br />