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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 18, 2019 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 32 of 46 <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Burda wanted to comment on the record and tell the Commissioners how awesome the staff is, <br />especially Laura, and the Commissioners are fortunate to have them on their team. <br /> <br />Ressler said the Commissioners tend to agree. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 9:38 p.m. <br /> <br />There were no public comments relating to this application. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 9:38 p.m. <br /> <br />Libby stated he would tend to agree with Staff on this. There are some practical difficulties, a very small <br />lot surrounded by water. The additions that are proposed and the way they are articulated make for <br />attractive improvements, and it is worthy of giving them the guidance that's already been given and <br />granting the application. <br /> <br />Gettman said the proposed breezeway makes sense. He is not sure he is reaching that difficulty/hardship <br />with respect to the hardcovers and what they are swapping out. Privacy is part of it, but it's the struggle of <br />the slippery slope of authorizing basically an improvement without any justification beyond the privacy <br />question. The applicant already has the view with the bay window, but it's expanding and trading that <br />hardcover which is what he is struggling with. <br /> <br />Thiesse stated he had the same concern but he has never lived on a property in this location. He doesn't <br />know if anyone has experienced the practical difficulty because it is a busy area and privacy is important. <br />The Commission has gone through many applications where it was a reduction in hardcover and the <br />Commission was happy with it, so he is leaning that way for that reason. <br /> <br />Ressler asked whether he is for or opposed. <br /> <br />Thiesse stated he is for it. He understands the applicant's practical difficulty and he has voted many times <br />for a reduction in hardcover. <br /> <br />Ressler said the practical difficulties are identified, but on the small envelopes what the Commission <br />usually asks for is a reduction in structure or hardcover or both as a compensating factor. Where he is <br />conflicted is, he thinks what is right for this property is a whole new garage built attached to the house. <br />That way you're not adding structure to an already really tight lot. He is not going to formally say he is <br />opposed to it, but that is what he goes back to. <br /> <br />Thiesse noted they are not over on the structure coverage; they are within the structure coverage. <br />