02-17-1998 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 1998 _ - {#11 #2335 Lawrence Molsather and Linda Sallee Continued) Lindquist informed the applicants that he did not believe additional hardcover in the 0-75' would be approved noting removal of plastic was not an option and would be required to be removed. He said from comments made, the Commission was willing to trade a portion of the deck in one area for extension in another without adding to the structural coverage. Bressler noted that any trade would add to hardcover because the deck would extend beyond the overhang. McMillan said the attempt was to gain a functional deck. Lindquist said he could not support a request for additional hardcover in the 0-75' setback. Stoddard said he would approve the application as submitted. Molsather questioned whether exceptions can be made as that is the purpose of variances. McMillan informed him that since a deck existed, he would be allowed to reconstruct the deck using the existing amount of decking. Stoddard noted that the code requirements not allowing structure in the 0-75' setback did not exist at the time the house was constructed. He felt the deck is very narrow and not functional as it exists. He felt the applicant had the right to replace the deck and reconfigure it. Stoddard moved to approve Application#2335 to add a deck subject to variances including average lakeshore setback, 0-75' hardcover, structural coverage, and lakeshore setback, with limiting the additional deck to 221 s.f. The applicant would be required to remove all plastic under rock in the two areas under the house and by the lakeshore. This motion would allow a deck 8'wide along the length of the house. The motion failed for lack of a second. Molsather said he would have agreed to Stoddard's motion. Sallee said the proposed deck would not change the look of the house but only add to its usefulness. McMillan informed them that she did not second the motion as she would have needed to see the deck design. Lindquist said the applicant may be able to take the same amount of deck as exists and reconfigure it. He felt no additional amount of deck would be approved. He asked if the applicant would like to table the application for further review or move the application forward to Council. McMillan said she would agree to allowing some additional square footage to gain a functional deck for the applicants. Smith questioned how much of an increase would be supported. The proposal is for 3% increase. Lindquist said he would not favor that increase. Berg was informed that the purpose of the deck is to enjoy the lake and enable the • applicants to clean the gutters. 22