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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, April 27, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 11 of 16 <br /> <br />Curtis stated Walsh was correct. She indicated the roof space they would lose is about 4 feet. She said the <br />applicant could probably give the Council the dimensions of the grade drop and roof loss. <br /> <br />Walsh said he would be curious to see what the volume difference is, because it is a slippery slope if <br />someone starts cutting into the berm wall to flatten it out to create volume in a different area. The Council <br />does not want to create the opportunity where that becomes the norm. It is a volume issue to him, and as <br />long as it is in the same box/floor plan and the volume is no different, it is 6 of 1, half a dozen of the <br />other. <br /> <br />Curtis said in her opinion it is helpful that the average lakeshore setback is a view protection. By lowering <br />it, if there was an impact from a neighboring property, that would lower that impact. Using the aerial <br />photo, she pointed out the tree coverage between the cabin and other property. <br /> <br />Walsh asked if the cabin was located in the 0-75. <br /> <br />Curtis stated the cabin is not located in the 0-75 and indicated the 0-75 area on the map. <br /> <br />Walsh said he thought it was in the 0-75 which is why he was having more of an issue with the volume. <br />Given where the cabin is located, it does not bother him. <br /> <br />Crosby asked what the volume beneath the grade was. <br /> <br />Curtis stated she is not sure and could not do the measurement while online. She said the architect could <br />address the technical comments. <br /> <br />Walsh stated that since it is not in the 0-75, it is not a volume issue. It is an average lakeshore setback and <br />the owner is bringing it lower. Even if it were expanded, it would probably not be that big of an issue. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. <br /> <br />Mr. Anthon Ellis, Project Architect, Charlie & Company, 212 Third Avenue North, Minneapolis, said he <br />is happy to answer any questions. <br /> <br />Crosby asked Mr. Ellis what the volume below grade was. <br /> <br />Mr. Ellis said it is just under 3 feet from the existing cabin finished floor to the new finished slab. <br />Looking at the elevation displayed on the screen, he pointed out that on the left-hand side of the drawing <br />there is a sloping solid line at grade and said that it slopes up to meet the new finished floor. However, <br />they are not changing the grade. He stated if you look at the existing cabin photograph that Curtis had, <br />you can see at the front edge of the cabin there is plenum/shade space. The cabin sits up on wood framing, <br />and there is an old fox den beneath the cabin which is essentially open air. They are taking up the lost <br />space underneath the cabin and grading the existing grade down to meet the finished floor height and then <br />feathering the grade back down. It is a subtle change in grade. They are not grading down 3 feet <br />completely on all 4 sides of the cabin; they are maintaining the existing grade on the lakeside. <br /> <br />Walsh commented that it needs a little tender loving care and will be beautiful when it is done. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.