06-14-2021 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,June 14,2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. 16. ORONO MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM USE OF BEDERWOOD PARK—Continued Olson spoke with Ms. Schmidt's attorney for a few minutes and sent him what was on this evening's agenda. Johnson said they will get the property line identified so it eliminates any concern about trespassing. Ms. Schmidt does not think that would take care of it. Johnson noted it is a good start. Ms. Schmidt agreed and is glad the City Council is looking at it; she thinks a lot more needs to be looked at because it has been less than a month and she found out by accident. She would like neighbors and everyone to know and look at this. Mayor Walsh said parks are always a moving piece of property as the City is always making them better. The best thing to do is always be in communication,including the Parks Director and Parks Commission Chair;they are always looking for new thoughts and ideas of what they can do to make them better all the time. Ms. Schmidt said that is great to hear and thanked the Council. Seals moved,Crosby seconded,to approve the attached Resolution No. 7195 designating Bederwood Park as a designated pathway area for mountain bike use,including marking of the property line.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REPORT 19. LA21-000030—TOM BERGSTROM, 1509 LONG LAKE BLVD,VARIANCES Curtis presented a summary packet of information to the Council and said the property owner is requesting rear setback and 75-foot lake setback variances in order to expand the existing deck by 227 square feet(including staircase).The property owner has indicated a willingness to remove an 80 square foot deck/patio within the 75-foot setback to facilitate approval of the requested variances and offset 75- foot hardcover.In May the Planning Commission held a public hearing. Following the public hearing the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to deny the variances.Planning Staff recommends denial of the requested variances to enlarge the deck within the lake setback as the property has reasonable use with the existing improvements.The requested lake setback variance is not supported by practical difficulty. Staff would support a rear setback variance if it is out of the lake setback.Tonight the Council should consider directing Staff to draft a resolution reflecting their decision. Mayor Walsh said if the Applicant is willing to give up 85 or 100 feet to grab 16 feet to make the deck in this weird site work,it seems like a pretty reasonable trade-off.His question is,this house is only a few years old and obviously had to have variances to build the house. In that variance request,did the City tell him to remove all the 0-75 that was already there? Curtis noted Laura Oakden handled the variance for the home and she does not know the conversations, but the City was not able to require him to remove it.He was allowed to keep it as an existing non- Page 6 of 13