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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, July 16, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />while it may not be happening currently, it could occur in the future. Libby stated in his view this is a <br />unique circumstance since the adjoining residential property has commercial application. <br />Johnson stated until just recently the house was rather dilapidated but has recently been remodeled and <br />that in the near future there will be people living in the house, which could add to the issues. <br />Lemke noted there were some previous complaints about that house being used as a party house. Lemke <br />asked whether that is still ongoing. <br />Johnson stated for the most part that has stopped and the situation has improved immensely. Johnson <br />stated every now and then there is some activity there but that he is a reasonable person and is not <br />expecting total solitude. <br />Libby commended the applicant for bringing those concerns to the City. <br />Erickson stated when the Planning Commission looks at variance requests, they look at any unique <br />circumstances that create hardships for property owners which do not necessarily reflect the typical layout <br />of a particular district. Erickson stated in his view there is a strong case for a unique hardship since it is <br />very unusual to be next to a residentially zoned property that is used like a commercial property and with <br />the close proximity to the marina. Erickson stated it is his belief the fence will give the applicant some <br />relief from that and that the City's ordinance was not necessary designed with this situation in mind. <br />Acting Chair Lemke opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. <br />Richie Anderson, 1955 Shoreline Drive, stated he owned the property on the other side of River Valley <br />Power Sports a few years ago. Anderson stated River Valley is now one of the largest retail marina <br />operations in the state and the Your Boat Club is probably the largest boat club in the Upper Midwest. <br />Anderson stated there is a tremendous amount of activity happening on the site now as compared to when <br />he owned it. <br />Anderson commented he also remembers the fence that used to be there and that he is in favor of the <br />proposed fence. Anderson stated in his view the house will be used as a short-term rental house. When <br />the house was being remodeled, Anderson stated someone took the water heater out and drew a penis on <br />it and then faced it towards Matt Johnson's property as well as drew a penis on the plastic covering the <br />house during the remodel. Anderson stated this is some of what Matt Johnson is dealing with. Anderson <br />stated to add insult to injury, they also took Matt Johnson's ornamental goat out of his yard and put it in <br />front of their deck. Matt Johnson did not call the cops but he had to go over and retrieve his ornamental <br />goat. <br />Anderson stated in his view this is a legitimate case where someone has been unduly harmed and likely <br />will continue to be harmed. Anderson noted he has seen the City approve decks in the 0-75 and that they <br />should let him go to the fence post because that was there in 2005 and 2007. The fence probably got <br />dilapidated and fell down. Anderson stated in his view the applicant has suffered a lot and that the City <br />should do the policing themselves and not require someone to complain all the time. Anderson stated he <br />is in strong favor of letting Matt Johnson go to the fence post and that it will alleviate a lot of his <br />problems. <br />Acting Chair Lemke closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. <br />Page 8 of 13 <br />