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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday, September 16,2019 <br /> 6:30 p.m. <br /> McCutcheon asked if the existing house impedes her view of the lake. <br /> Marks stated she has views all around the structure and that it is a perspective issue. The new home is <br /> farther away and is towards the lot on the other side,but she has a second-story deck that she uses daily <br /> and currently she can see to the right and left and around that structure. Part of the concern is related to <br /> the height of the new structure. <br /> McCutcheon asked where that aligns with the existing structure. <br /> Marks stated the line from the existing structure at the non-lakeside front of the home intersects it on the <br /> corner. Most of the homes on Casco have a front/back design. Marks indicated she did make a circle on <br /> the survey and in her opinion keeping to that circle is very important. With 125 feet from the roadside to <br /> the lake,that seems very adequate for being able to place this house with room on either side. <br /> Penny Saiki,2874 Casco Point Road, suggested they flip the house and come into the garage on the other <br /> side. While it is a new house and they should be able to enjoy their lot,there should be a happy <br /> compromise. <br /> Barnhart stated the comments should be based on the proposal and not be directed at a redesign. <br /> Saiki suggested the bulk of the new structure go down to where the existing house is. When the City <br /> Council votes on the ordinance amendment next week, it talks about grandfathering what is existing. <br /> Instead of going back to what it was originally,those are now grandfathered in as existing. Saiki stated in <br /> her view that is shortsighted because everything gets further and further from the existing zoning. <br /> Everyone likes the lake,and when the City starts allowing changes to the zoning, each little step is fine, <br /> but when you take it as a whole,it has an impact. Casco currently has a 10-foot setback on each property, <br /> and that area has to handle all the runoff. Any variance changes the ability to hold the water off from the <br /> lake. Saiki stated she is concerned about grandfathering all the variances. <br /> Ressler noted there were some comments about side setback requirements, which is not being addressed <br /> tonight, and the Planning Commission has to take into consideration all the rules dealing with lake <br /> setbacks. Those are complicated issues and the City is always looking at ways to simplify it without <br /> creating new vulnerabilities. <br /> Saiki stated a new home with no deck or patio gets approved,gets built,and then the deck gets built with <br /> a variance. The same thing happened with a house. The person built a deck that is within the sightline of <br /> the existing house because the contractor said he forgot it. If you saw the deck,there is no way you can <br /> forget it. It is in the view of the neighbor. <br /> Ressler stated if someone is adding structure,that has to come back before the Planning Commission. <br /> Saiki encouraged them to go back to the original zoning when they consider granting a variance and that <br /> the beginning point should not be from the variance. <br /> Barnhart stated there seems to be a number of comments or questions about the average lakeshore setback <br /> ordinance the City Council will be reviewing next Monday. At the last City Council meeting,the Council <br /> gave Staff direction to come back with an ordinance that will be reviewed on Monday. While it is not <br /> Page 6 of 24 <br />