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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 17,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> reasonable to have an average-sized deck in the U.S. given that he is on the lake. He showed his property <br /> on screen and noted he would like to ideally remove a patio and combine it together,taking hardcover out <br /> of the 75 foot lake setback and moving it or attaching it to the house so it is not separated. He showed the <br /> survey and noted that his property only has a sliver in which one can technically or legally build anything; <br /> he thinks on some level that is a practical hardship considering if it was a rectangle-shaped lot they do not <br /> have the same practical difficulties. There has also been some severe erosion over the past several <br /> decades,they did some shoreline stabilization and noted years and years of erosion has impacted the size <br /> of the lot.He noted there is not a good work around for the proposal,he has come to the City and worked <br /> with Ms. Oakden trying to figure out the best ways to expand this. Because of bugs,being higher off the <br /> ground is preferred and unfortunately there would still be a section in the 75 foot setback but it would be <br /> less than 15 feet so there would be a reduction in hardcover in that precious area.He showed overhead <br /> photos of his house and 9 adjacent houses and said every one of them have decks,pools,outdoor spaces, <br /> hardcover spaces substantially larger than his. He would think it reasonable to still have the smallest <br /> imprint in front of his house considering he is well below the hardcover requirement and making <br /> concessions. <br /> Kirchner said Deck B on screen is currently existing and asked how many square feet it is. <br /> Mr. Bergstrom replied 179 square feet. It is enough to put six chairs and a table. He would ideally like to <br /> pull the couch off the other area and have a place to sit and eat to enjoy the lake views. <br /> Chair Kirchner opened the public hearing at 6:12 p.m. <br /> Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:12 p.m. <br /> Ressler said Staff feedback point of contention seems to be the deck. He asked if there are any other <br /> concerns over the rest of the application and variance besides the deck. <br /> Curtis replied all the applicant is asking for at this point is to construct that deck. <br /> Ressler said as long as it stays behind the green line, Staff would be agreeable to it and asked if that is <br /> accurate. <br /> Curtis believes Staff could support the request if it was not encroaching in the 75 foot setback. <br /> Kirchner asked if it is not encroaching in the 75-foot setback,would a variance still be required for the <br /> 50-foot setback? <br /> Curtis replied yes. <br /> Kirchner feels there is currently usage of the space and does not think the applicant is being denied usage <br /> in that they do currently have a deck. He appreciates the research that went in but does not believe that <br /> just because the average size of a deck is 300-400 square feet the Planning Commission needs to go out of <br /> their bounds to allow that to happen within the 75 foot setback. If they were not encroaching on the 75 <br /> foot setback he would likely be a bit more open to it if it was merely a 50 foot rear yard setback. <br /> Page 2 of 21 <br />