05-11-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 27, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 20. LA20-000025, JOHN KRAEMER, 855 OLD CRYSTAL BAY RD S, VARIANCE: AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK Staff presented a summary of packet information. She noted Staff recommends approval. Crosby commented, while looking at the screen display, that the chimney is shorter. Curtis agreed with Crosby. After Curtis displayed a side view of the rendering, oriented everyone, and discussed grade, Johnson asked whether the only additional piece is the little right-hand upper corner which is downward. Curtis, referencing another drawing, pointed out the location of the porch. She also displayed a picture of the current cabin. Walsh said they are making the volume much bigger because they are excavating underneath the cabin to flatten it out from the very front, which is much lower than the back. Curtis stated Walsh was correct. She indicated the roof space they would lose is about 4 feet. She said the applicant could probably give the Council the dimensions of the grade drop and roof loss. Walsh said he would be curious to see what the volume difference is, because it is a slippery slope if someone starts cutting into the berm wall to flatten it out to create volume in a different area. The Council does not want to create the opportunity where that becomes the norm. It is a volume issue to him, and as 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 other. Curtis said in her opinion it is helpful that the average lakeshore setback is a view protection. By lowering it, if there was an impact from a neighboring property, that would lower that impact. Using the aerial photo, she pointed out the tree coverage between the cabin and other property. Walsh asked if the cabin was located in the 0-75. Curtis stated the cabin is not located in the 0-75 and indicated the 0-75 area on the map. Walsh said he thought it was in the 0-75 which is why he was having more of an issue with the volume. Given where the cabin is located, it does not bother him. Crosby asked what the volume beneath the grade was. Curtis stated she is not sure and could not do the measurement while online. She said the architect could address the technical comments. Walsh stated that since it is not in the 0-75, it is not a volume issue. It is an average lakeshore setback and the owner is bringing it lower. Even if it were expanded, it would probably not be that big of an issue. Mayor Walsh opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.