04-20-1998 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

i .#I • . ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 20, 1998 (#10 - #2359 Hestia Homes Inc. - Continued) McMillan inquired if a bumpout had been done to the wall. Applicants builder from Hestia Homes commented the only bumpout on the house was a bay window on the first floor. Lindquist determined the addition of the deck amounts to an increase of 336 s.f. of hardcover. Van Zomeren noted the existing garage and proposed deck do not exceed structural coverage or hardcover limitations. The issues with the deck are setbacks to the bluff and average lakeshore. McMillan felt replacing the existing square footage was consistent with other recommendations. Schroeder asked if the bump out was done in anticipation of approval for a deck. Hestia Homes answered it was not a consideration and they had been focused on hardcover issues and unaware of the impact to the bluff and site line. He asked for clarification of the bluff ordinance. The applicant bought the property before the bluff ordinance was in effect. • Van Zomeren responded the bluff ordinance protects the views from the lake for aesthetic reasons and provides protection of structures to prevent erosion to the bluff Lindquist did not feel comfortable recommending approval to increase the size of the deck. Hawn suggested a curved design instead of a rectilinear shape to the deck. Hestia Homes said the lack of depth would be a problem. The original deck was only 10-11' deep. The current deck proposal is for an 18' depth. A common deck size is around 14' which would put it 9 1/2' past the edge. Lindquist suggested a compromise. Schroeder commented that the original size of the deck was acceptable at the time the house was purchased. Hawn said there was no point in building a deck that was not useable and proposed approval be made in terms of square footage. Schroeder moved, Lindquist seconded, to approve Application #2359 for (1) an after-the-fact variance for bluff setback and average lakeshore setback based on the fact the building permit was issued; (2) a deck extension consisting of 392 s.f. plus 24 s.f. for the side section. Vote: Ayes 6, Nays 0. Smith alerted applicants that in the future there should be no additional impacts done to the bluff McMillan offered the applicants the option of tabling this application to redesign the deck. • Applicant agreed that the recommendation was reasonable. 11