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0 <br />MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />WORK SESSION HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 1997 <br />Van Zomeren said she questions the average lakeshore setback variance in examples <br />where there is no impact. Gaffron said that variance has evolved to that point. <br />Schroeder referenced the 0 -75' setback. There were 50 applications for hardcover <br />variances in that zone and 34 were approved. This standard received the lowest approval <br />percentage. <br />McMillan questioned how many residents called about the possibility of a variance and <br />did not apply due to information received. Gaffron indicated that changes to plans <br />usually occur before applications are reviewed. McMillan felt this was a likely reason <br />why the approval rate is as high as the analysis showed. Van Zomeren informed <br />• McMillan that those applications that are outside the requirements of the code are usually <br />not seen. Gaffron said these plans are "tweaked" to that point. <br />Gaffron said the Council is concerned that there is consistency shown between the <br />Planning Commission and Council. The Council wants the Planning Commission to be <br />on the same wave length in their considerations, which Gaffron said usually does occur. <br />Van Zomeren said the City needs to protect the land and ensure that the use is <br />compatible. She noted that the burden is placed on neighbors, and not necessarily on the <br />applicant, to prove that a request is not good for the neighborhood. <br />Schroeder asked what the analysis revealed regarding where the Planning Commission <br />fits in with the Planning Commissions of other communities. Van Zomeren said the <br />• number of variance requests are greater in Orono than in other communities. Gaffron <br />15 <br />