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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,September 20,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> setbacks so setback variances are needed.The current plan reflects reductions and alterations based on Staff <br /> guidance. Staff finds that the narrowness of the property and the location of the existing home limit <br /> improvement opportunities for expansions or improvements beyond the existing home footprint or <br /> envelope. Planning Staff recommends approval of the variances subject to the Applicant addressing <br /> stormwater runoff. <br /> Merrilee Lundquist, 975 Tonkawa, is present to speak for her son John Lundquist who inherited the house <br /> from his grandmother in 2009 and is out of town on business.Ms.Lundquist grew up in the home and noted <br /> the structure is solid but needs a lot of updating and improvement. They tried to find a place for another <br /> bedroom in the main house and it is not really possible. She thinks connecting the main house to the garage <br /> is a good project.Loma Linda Road is 50-foot lots and the basic face of the road is all garage and she thinks <br /> it is important to update the street-side. Ms. Lundquist noted the neighbors welcome the updating of the <br /> house and that the house is too small for her son to possibly raise a family there. <br /> Gettman asked in talking with neighbors across the street,especially the one with a deck that overlooks the <br /> house,what have they said about adding a second story to the garage. <br /> Ms. Lundquist replied the homes were mostly cottages and have been redone. She has spoken to those <br /> neighbors and they both signed off as she explained and answered their questions. <br /> Gettman asked what if everyone in the neighborhood put on a two-story garage, does Ms.Lundquist think <br /> that would change the character of the neighborhood at all? <br /> Ms. Lundquist noted the one next door is torn down, and there are three houses on the street that having <br /> living space over a garage. <br /> Robert Linden, 4356 5th Street NE, Columbia Heights, will be the builder and said it is a 1'V2 story and <br /> everything will be hand-framed. They are preserving access to the well, and he explained the proposed <br /> additions including 2.5 feet of kitchen space and a stairwell. <br /> Kirchner opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. <br /> Oliver White, 1040 Loma Linda Avenue,is about 2-3 houses north and he and his wife support the <br /> Applicant's proposal. <br /> Kirchner closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. <br /> Ressler was deliberating on adding more structure so close to the property line.As far as what is <br /> requested to be built,it seems that it fits the spirit of the neighborhood and he is okay with the <br /> application. <br /> Bollis thinks it is well thought-out and appreciates the play to reduce the massing. He likes the intent and <br /> sees the difficulty here. <br /> Gettman also supports it and noted the issue is the neighbor to the west.He noted the entire area is getting <br /> revamped and there is already no visibility of the lake from those folks;he said a story-and-a-half really <br /> does not change the appearance from the street and he is in favor. <br /> Page 6 of 8 <br />