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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Tuesday,March 15,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> David & Kathryn Wiemer, Applicants, moved into this house in November 2019 after 35 years in <br /> Minnetonka. They looked at over 35 properties and this was"the one." They have loved living on the lake <br /> and have had a little over a year to understand how they live and use both the indoor and outdoor spaces. <br /> The goal with the variances is twofold;they would like to convert what is now a small office space into a <br /> four-season porch with a door to a patio or a deck. There are also tables,chairs,and a fire ring outside that <br /> are regularly used and in the wanner months, the legs sink in to the grass. They are outside a lot to enjoy <br /> the lake and the views and look forward to working with the City to respect the interests of the various <br /> setback requirements while trying to achieve the goals and dreams of using and enjoying the property.Ms. <br /> Wiemer is available to answer any questions. <br /> Mr.Wiemer noted a photo with a room in the foreground that is the current office they would like to expand <br /> to the south;they can also see some chairs and a grill to wrap a deck or patio around on that side of it. <br /> Bollis asked if there is currently any deck or patio out there. <br /> Ms. Wiemer said there is nothing, they just have wood chips. They bought the house from the original <br /> owners who built the house in 2000 and there is overlap between the two setbacks, so they know there is <br /> already a challenge here. The Applicant noted they would like to use more of the outside space because <br /> there really is nothing right now. <br /> Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. <br /> Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. <br /> Ressler noted it is always difficult when there is lakeshore involved in setbacks. <br /> Erickson asked who prepared the 3D color graphic. <br /> Ms. Oakden said it was the Applicant's contractor. <br /> Erickson noted those were very well done. <br /> McCutcheon thinks the big thing is the allowed hardcover, it is 25% and the existing is 22%. With the <br /> house being built behind the lakeshore setback, he will throw that one out the window because that just <br /> makes sense. Then it is a skinny lot so the 30-foot setback from the road seems kind of ridiculous,too. He <br /> noted it is a unique situation and that is why they are here. He clarified the hardcover is where he draws <br /> the line—they can do things but within the hardcover limits is his initial thought. <br /> Bollis tends to agree with McCutcheon as the hardcover is so close at 27.2% for what they are asking for <br /> and he feels it could be modified to meet at least the hardcover. He agrees with the setbacks—he thinks <br /> they need to throw those out on this one and if they could meet the hardcover it would be a yes for him. <br /> Kirchner agrees with the comments that have been said. It is a unique lot and he agrees the hardcover does <br /> not seem to be implicated by the shape of the lot,rather the addition and amount of the addition. <br /> Ressler said there seems to be support for hardcover and not support for additional structure. <br /> Bollis clarified no support for above the 25%hardcover but the setback requests seem to be fine. <br /> Page 2 of 34 <br />