08-23-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 9, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 of 13 15. LA21-000047 – MATCOM: MARK MATASOVSKY O/B/O TEMPLE ISRAEL OF MINNEAPOLIS, 645 TONKAWA ROAD, VARIANCES – Continued the left on screen with a small footprint and height expansion as well as make changes to their lake boardwalk configuration within the 75-foot setback. In 2019 they received approval of a concept Master Plan and Temple Israel, Camp TEKO’s owner, has since engaged a new architectural firm and are planning to implement the Master Plan in phases. The boat building was not part of the original Master Plan approval nor was it shown on those plans; the boardwalk changes and reconstruction of the boat building require hardcover and lake setback variances due to their locations and changes would result in a hardcover increase in 226.5 square feet within the 75-foot setback. The rebuilt building within the 75 would be used to house life jackets, paddles, and other lake-use accessories and provide a place for shelter and safe harbor in case of inclement weather. The improvements to this building are intended to provide additional storage capacity, a reworked configuration to open the space up to allow better visibility for chaperones to view the children on the lakeshore and increased floor area to allow better access for individuals in wheelchairs to be able to maneuver in and out of the building. The owner’s revised narrative was included in the packet and the Applicant is present to discuss. In July the Planning Commission held a public hearing and discussed variances, voting 6-0 on a motion to partially approve the request. They did not support the increase in the building size but did support the hardcover variance and to not allow more building in the area but to allow more boardwalk hardcover. They have not received public comments on the application. Staff recommends approval of the hardcover and lake setback variances to accommodate the changes to the boardwalk, improving the safety and allowing for better accessibility. Staff did not identify practical difficulties supporting the building expansion requested and are seeking direction from the Council. Mark Matasovsky, owner’s representative for Temple Israel, feels a little bad for not doing a better job at the Planning Commission and he wishes they had been more prepared. They received funding in 2019 and a lot of it was for American Disabilities Act (ADA) funding. At the very edge of the 75-foot setback the City approved a building at the top of the stairs which has been taken out of the plan and they will just use the existing boy scout buildings there to create changing rooms. On the waterfront they are creating paths that will allow wheelchairs down on the beach and right now the boat building is very important for equipment and does not get closer to the waterfront at all. Practical difficulties are having an accessible building with accessible staff access and they cannot back the building up because of the embankment. The Applicant is very willing to say if the property ever sells, they would remove the building before the sale but having that accessibility and ability to have staff close to the waterfront is very important. He asked for some way to work this out so they can have what they need. These children will always be Kindergarten through second grade and disabled as those are the clients they serve. Mayor Walsh noted the minute they do this, people will start coming in saying they need more hardcover to access their building by the water. He has no problem with the ramp trail for accessibility but any hardcover beyond that they must take care of out of the 75-foot setback. He noted the Council has told people they can refurbish a building within the same footprint but cannot move it somewhere else. The Council discussed the bluff setback, the ramp, and staying out of the 75-foot setback. Printup asked if it would matter if the square footage of the building gets reconfigured in the 0-75. Mayor Walsh noted they have told everyone they must keep the same footprint in the same exact spot.