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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday, September 16,2019 <br /> 6:30 p.m. <br /> Ressler noted no variance to height is requested or required. <br /> Gettman stated the red line is not sufficient enough for him to say that he would support it and that he <br /> would be against the red line as proposed. The question the Planning Commission should be asking <br /> themselves is, if the variance is granted,would it impact the neighborhood. A couple of neighbors have <br /> indicated it does not fit in with the character of the neighborhood. The houses to the right are more <br /> narrow and those property owners have worked within their lot. <br /> Thiesse stated he agrees with most of what is being said and that this would be a no-brainer if it was equal <br /> height. The height is a game changer and the view of the neighbor on the other side is the limiting factor. <br /> While he is not sure what the answer is, he would definitely recommend they go in the direction of the red <br /> line. <br /> Ressler noted the code allows someone to build in like,kind, and quality, but building in same location <br /> would be closer to the property line and would be higher than the existing structure. When the Planning <br /> Commission considers these variances,they want to make sure the situation is improving. The applicants <br /> are improving side setbacks and lakeshore setbacks. The question is whether the Planning Commission is <br /> comfortable with the height. As much as the Planning Commission may look at this as a difficult <br /> application,the meandering of the lakeshore and the existing structure makes him in support of this <br /> application. <br /> Ressler stated he certainly appreciates the friendly amendment by the applicant and that he would <br /> certainly be in support of approving this application contingent upon that measurement being 62.5 <br /> degrees or better as part of that same spirit of improving the difficulty. Anything less would be <br /> worsening the situation. <br /> Ressler stated he would like to see a motion based on that 62.5 percent so the application can move <br /> forward to the City Council. <br /> Thiesse commented that seems reasonable but the applicant could negotiate and come up with a better <br /> number. <br /> Ressler stated that would be the minimum. <br /> Thiesse stated he would like the parties to get together and come up with a number and plan that works <br /> for everyone. If the Planning Commission chooses a number,the problem is that one side already has a <br /> number. <br /> Curtis stated Ms. Marks noted the tree and that might be a better marker. If there is some way the <br /> surveyor could identify that specific tree from Ms. Marks' view, that could be something they could <br /> build off of. Curtis indicated she is hesitant to put a number on it when that number has not been <br /> determined specifically. <br /> Thiesse suggested a survey be completed. <br /> Ressler asked if they would be proposing to improve it to the red line. <br /> Page 8 of 24 <br />