02-16-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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January 28, 2021 Page 2 it with gardens that still exist. We are aware that the City of Orono does not generally approve of variance applications where construction would increase hard-cover to more than 25%. We have no way to decrease the hard-cover of our existing lot since it has stayed the same for the 29 years we've lived there and we have not added to any hard-cover during all those years. Even so, we've estimated that the hard-cover addition of the proposed new deck would bring the existing hard-cover from just below 35% to slightly more than 35%, a nominal increase to be sure. The previous owners, from whom we purchased our property, John W. and Frances L. Larson, were dog owners who maintained a half dozen or more fenced- in kennels for their dogs on the lakeshore side of the property, which we immediately removed upon purchasing the property, and replaced it with new sod the next spring which we are certain was very much appreciated by our new neighbors to the North and South of our newly purchased property. The foundation of our property is approximately 92 ft. from the shoreline, while the footings of the existing deck is approximately 82 ft. from the shoreline; and, while we believe the Zoning Chapter provides that no structures or appurtenances be allowed within 75 ft. of the shoreline, even though our plans for removal of the existing deck and lengthening of the new deck approximately 2 1/2 ft.to the North and 3-3 1/2 ft. towards the lakeshore, it will still not encroach on the 75 ft. requirement espoused by the Orono Planning Commission and the related Zoning Chapter. 3. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. Response: The owners believe this statement to be true. The owners do not intend to change the way they have made use of their property in the last 29 years nor do they intend to change the way they use the property after construction of the proposed and slightly enlarged new deck, except that we believe it will allow us as owners to enjoy the use of the proposed and slightly enlarged new deck much more than we have in the past. The owners also believe it will enhance the intrinsic value of their property and it's utility to them as owners, and further, they expect it will also add some intrinsic value to their immediate neighbors and the locality without changing its essential character.