02-27-2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2003 . 8. #03-2951 Jicdith and Jarnes Pierpont, 1849 and I801 West Farm Road—Lot • Li�te Rearrange�rtent--Continued owners had blacktopped part of the dri�-e, and they finished the blacktopping. The drive connected Farm and Homestead streets and was used by neighbors. The neighbor who lived on Homestead at the end of the driti-eway informed the Pierponts that they were nervous about a road exiting opposite their house, so the Pierponts blocked the access to Homestead by installing a mound at the end of the drive and planting it. The Pierponts did not understand the need to remove a drive that had been in existence for so long when its presence did not impact anybody negarively. Mrs. Pierpont stated that when they bouaht the house, it was in disrepair and the stable was derelict. They wanted to keep the character of the property. They kept the roof, walls and foundation of the stable and converted it to a guest house with an alcove kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and bedroom. She stated that the guesthouse is only ever used by family members or close friends who visit, with the exception of allowing guests of their church to stay briefly on two occasions. They have tried to add value to the neighborhood with the changes they've made, while keeping the original charm and style of the property. She stated that they originally believed the lots were connected in order to provide altemative sites for septic. She stated they plan to briri� sewer hookups to both lots 14 and 1�. Mrs. Pierpont stated that her husband fiaured they have 13,000 s.£ (7.5%) of wetland on their property with lakeshore frontaje. According to his calculations, they do have enouoh dry buildable to keep the guesthouse. She stated they would gladly sign an agreement stating the house is only to be used by family members and that it would never generate an income. Murphy stated that the City should do a better job of protecting historic properties. Gaffron asked if they would be ignorina the preservation of a historic structure by merely requiring the kitchen to be removed. The 4-acre requirement has to do with density. The code doesn't distinguish between constant use and occasional use. The Pierponts seem willin� to limit the use of the house. Wetland is not credited in terms of density when a property is sewered. Still, the situation has existed for over 13 years with no negative impacts. There is, however, a precedent setting concern if the City allowed the situation to continue as is. Murpby stated that they need a unique situation in order to find a hardship. Mrs. Pierpont stated that the age of the house and guesthouse make it a unique situation. They were built in 1870. 11