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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, September 21, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. LA20-000057 MICHAEL GALLUS CONSTRUCTION, INC., 1985 FAGERNESS POINT ROAD, VARIANCES. STAFF: LAURA OAKDEN. Matthew Briggs, Applicant, was present. Staff presented a summary of packet information. Ms. Oakden noted Staff recommends denial as the Applicant has not met standards for Practical Difficulty. Mr. Matthew Briggs, 1985 Fagerness Point Road, homeowner, noted he also had Dan Gallus, the original builder of the home who is working with the current homeowner. He said he appreciates the Staff’s input and he’s only had a few days to respond; he noted the main driver behind the Practical Difficulty is that they built the home 10 years ago with two kids and no father-in-law. Since then they have three kids and their father-in-law is now a disabled veteran. They relocated from California to Minnesota and the reason they’re building it is because it is consistent with the neighborhood and it also meets a need for their family, noting they have three bedrooms on the top floor of the property (built in 2010). He reported they have three children so their boys share a room and they are building a room downstairs to accommodate a father-in-law who will be moving in with them so they can provide him care. Mr. Briggs said they’d be widening the garage, the doors, making it accessible to their father-in-law, including the bedroom and bathroom space to accommodate him. He said that is the main driving force, however, they also want to point out the neighborhood and the variances they’re asking for are consistent with the neighborhood. He noted they tried to be very mindful of that in building the home, stating a home was built at 1973 Fagerness which is the identical design to their home. His understanding is that there were multiple variances given, they have a 20-foot wide driveway and are much closer to the street than what Mr. Briggs is proposing, and that was recently completed. He noted some other examples, regarding the design of his original home and said when looking at the property it is very vertical and feels very tall, almost three stories. He said what they’re proposing softens those lines of the home and by his understanding they’ve received unanimous support in building it from their direct neighbors as well as three other neighbors (information which has been provided). Mr. Briggs said he doesn’t know if they necessarily need all the variances they applied for; for example, in the corner, one foot of the stairway is encroaching, and he noted they can move that back. He stated there are no sight-line issues with either neighbor. Regarding parking, they will actually increase their parking, noting that currently one car can be parked in their garage and this will allow two cars in the garage, two cars in the driveway and three cars in their parking spot, which is more parking than any of their neighbors. Mr. Briggs said the Practical Difficulty standpoint is important, as the only place they can build a bedroom that would be accessible, while still accommodating their three children, is where it is proposed. He noted they’re willing to be flexible and what is most important is that they’re able to accommodate their father-in-law, care for him and still give their children their own bedrooms, while still meeting the neighborhood design. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Chair Ressler noted Mr. Briggs mentioned one thing that might be a friendly amendment is the average lakeshore setback and it appears that the line goes further than what was understood by the Applicant and asked Ms. Oakden if that is correct.