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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday, September 21,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Ms. Oakden said she believes it's included in the packet, and the neighbor noted that they wished to have <br /> gutters/drainage looked at because of the tight setback. They said the renovated outbuilding looks nice <br /> and the only concern is the water drainage. <br /> Kirchner said he always struggles with setbacks and further encroaching into them. He understands that <br /> height is primarily the issue on this application rather than getting closer to the property line,however he <br /> feels it isn't quite a like-kind improvement as it's not a rebuild of the existing dimensions including the <br /> height; it's an extension of that. <br /> Gettman agreed with Kirchner,the only Practical Difficulty seems to be similar to the last application and <br /> that it's really trying to avoid the aesthetic issue as opposed to a Practical Difficulty that the Commission <br /> would normally consider to overwhelm the variance for height. <br /> Libby asked on the design element,what is the existing pitch of the roof, as it almost looks like it's close <br /> to a 12/12 pitch. <br /> Mr. Murphy said he believes it is a 12/12, but if they were going to do anything to that roof, anything <br /> above the existing pitch,which is almost flat right now, no matter what is done on the structure with <br /> building code,they will have to do an energy heel, if they build it to comply with City's code. He said no <br /> matter what he does it will be above the dotted line on screen which will automatically trigger coming in <br /> for a variance. He noted that is what he struggles with: no matter what he does with the building/roof, it's <br /> not going to fit within the parameters of what the City is allowing. He noted the structure is old and the <br /> trusses might be 2x6, so if he has to build it to code, he will have to come in and get a variance. No <br /> matter what they do, it was decided that they should make it architecturally pleasing for the entire <br /> neighborhood. He stated it's out of compliance as it is and if he tries to do anything, it will be out of <br /> compliance. <br /> Libby asked what the pitch is of the existing roof. <br /> Mr. Murphy said he is unsure, but it might be a 3/12 or a 4/12 at the most, noting it's pretty flat. <br /> Gettman asked what the minimum roof is that the dotted line would have to be raised, as it looks like <br /> they've basically raised another story. He said if they need to increase by 6 inches, one foot,two feet,to <br /> accommodate an accurate pitch. <br /> Mr. Murphy said he can't tell that for sure, if they have to do trusses it will be 16 inches at minimum. <br /> Gettman noted the design is more than 16 inches. <br /> Kirchner said it is 10 feet. <br /> Gettman said that is what the Commission is struggling with,to go the 16 inches,what the Practical <br /> Difficulty is that they need to go above a certain amount,but that isn't 10 feet. <br /> Mr. Murphy said they're only looking for 5 feet, and everything outside of the blue area is within <br /> compliance. He clarified any roof system he puts in will be inside the blue area and will need a variance <br /> regardless. <br /> Page 8 of 27 <br />