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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,October 14,2019 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Walsh commented he attended the Planning Commission meeting and the goal was to accommodate the <br /> neighbor's desire to view over the boathouse,which has been accomplished. <br /> Gustafson stated what is not clear on the plan is the impact of the trees on the neighbor's view. Through a <br /> lot of pruning,the view has been opened up without removing the structure. <br /> Walsh asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this application. <br /> Stacy Marks,3127 Casco Circle, stated she has been listening to the City Council and Planning <br /> Commission meetings and that they spend a lot of time talking about the average lakeshore setback <br /> because it is very important. It helps to maintain the quality of the lake and keep neighbors happy. <br /> Marks stated she is here tonight to ask the City Council to honor the setbacks since they serve a purpose <br /> and the people of Casco Circle have held pretty true to that in this area. <br /> Marks commented she thinks of this 49-foot setback as the elephant in the room and that typically the <br /> City will look at setbacks anywhere from 3 to 8 feet. The proposed structure and majority of the house is <br /> ahead of both lines. One of the things mentioned and noted in Staff s report is that the lot will not <br /> accommodate the structure. The house can be moved inside that pocket,which is 120 feet,and that more <br /> than anything this is a design issue. Most people have their homes more complying with the setback, and <br /> as the City Council can see,the home fits in there just fine. The big question is how that can be <br /> considered a reason to come for a variance. <br /> Marks stated she also thinks it was a little disingenuous when the rest of the structure is not included in <br /> the packet. In order to see the whole roof,you have to go to Page 7 of 7. The rest of the proposed roof is <br /> even taller and only the left-hand portion of the house was shown. Those side-by-side images do not <br /> show a true picture of the house. <br /> Curtis stated the applicants were providing the view from the side of the new house to her house. <br /> Marks stated if you are comparing the two,you should also show the other side of the house as well <br /> because it shows a different picture. Marks requested the City Council to strongly consider the variance <br /> before making a decision. <br /> Seals asked where the current structure is. <br /> Curtis indicated the red lines depict the current structure and the boathouse is down by the lake. <br /> Seals stated in her view this Council tries to respect the 75-foot setback but that there is a continency <br /> within the code that allows someone to replace a structure in like and kind as long as they rebuild within a <br /> year. The applicants are pushing the structure further back,which is a good thing,but that she can <br /> understand why she would like to see the house moved. <br /> Walsh stated they are farther ahead of the average lakeshore setback right now,but they are pushing the <br /> house back from what was originally proposed and from what exists. <br /> Seals stated they are improving the situation. <br /> Page 8 of 16 <br />