11-09-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION October 19, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. 6. LA20-000067 ALETHEA SADOWSKI, 1265 SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCE (Staff: Melanie Curtis) Alethea Sadowski, O/B/O Roger and Nancy McCabe, Applicant, was present. Staff presented a summary of packet information. The applicant is requesting a variance in order to construct an upper level porch addition on to the existing home encroaching entirely into the average lakeshore setback. Planning Department Staff recommends approval of the variance. Bollis asked if the proposed project will go completely over existing hardcover. Ms. Curtis replied yes but she believes there is a tiny piece of hardcover being added. She said they are conforming at 24.99% with the proposed addition. Chair Ressler asked if the proposed addition is encroaching upon the average lakeshore setback. Ms. Curtis answered yes, noting the red line on screen is the average lakeshore setback. Erickson asked if the neighboring house is a two-story. Ms. Curtis said 1305 Shoreline Drive is a two-story home. Erickson said the addition of the roof over the balcony could have some impact on the view. Ms. Curtis said she does not believe so as the way the home is oriented, 1305 Shoreline Drive is on a higher level of topography. She noted 1265 Shoreline Drive is much lower on the land and there is a mature oak tree and mature evergreen tree on the property line that almost block their view of the pool area on the subject lot. Alethea Sadowski, 1265 Shoreline Drive, noted she spoke to the neighbor directly to the East and he has offered to write a letter to give the home owner a favorable reply. She reported it is a bit of a struggle as half of the house is in a hardship. Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Chair Ressler asked Staff to help him understand the project as they always try to avoid adding additional structure inside of a lakeshore setback and would like to know how Staff’s recommendation differs from that regarding this Application. Ms. Curtis clarified they are not within the 75-foot setback; onscreen she noted the 75-foot setback comes just house-ward of the pool and they are not encroaching into that area. Staff is supportive of this as it does not appear that it will negatively impact views of the neighboring homes, which is the purpose for the code provision. Gettman asked if there is any history on the pool. 163 163