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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />February 22, 2022 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br /> <br /> <br />“Swenson” house. Staff recommends approval of some level of hardcover variance for the <br />Abbott property, however encourages removal of any hardcover that exceeds the minimum <br />necessary to serve the property. <br /> <br />John Abbott, 2941 Casco Point Road, noted the Oare parcel is very narrow with 20 feet of lakeshore. The <br />parcel was associated with the Oare property a long time ago and at some point the decision was made to <br />split that guest house off and make it into a separate parcel. He noted a 20 foot lakeshore is very narrow to <br />keep a boat and shared historical disputes that resulted in a variance granted to allow a dock on the <br />property. The Swensons did not abide by that but it was tolerated by neighbors. When the Abbots and <br />Oares found that the property was for sale, they realized it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remedy <br />the situation of a congested area. The Applicants would like to work with the City to accommodate the <br />request to split the parcel. He shared they are not doing anything to change the property but divide it up, <br />remove the dock, and remove hardcover. <br /> <br />Leslie Dennis Oare, 2967 Casco Point Road, supports what Mr. Abbott just said. They felt it was an <br />opportunity to eliminate a non-conforming property with an inconsistent lakeshore setback and eliminate <br />the dock and the 50-page dock permit with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. She apologized if <br />parking spots were an issue noting they thought it was a good opportunity to provide more parking but <br />they would not be needed. She clarified the hardcover on the new parcel would drop, and as Mr. Abbott <br />mentioned, the guest house was originally part of her property and they would also eliminate a large <br />section of sidewalk between the garage and existing house. The patio is an extension of the house with a <br />built-in firepit and stamped concrete and would be very difficult to remove. The Applicants feel they are <br />making positive changes by removing the non-conformity and hope they can move forward. <br /> <br />Chair Kirchner opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Kirchner can support the spirit of what is trying to be accomplished, however they would also be <br />eliminating a non-conforming lot to then allow for a guest house on a non-conforming lot that does not <br />meet area requirements. <br /> <br />Bollis thinks it is a unique opportunity to go back in time and make this how it should have been before it <br />was split off. Regarding the guest house, he noted the one acre rule and clarified that the house could stay <br />but would not be labeled or allowed to be a guest house. <br /> <br />Ms. Curtis replied it would not be allowed to be a dwelling but would be like any other accessory <br />building such as a pool house, office, detached garage, or workout room. The one acre rule comes from <br />the desire to not increase the density of the district. <br /> <br />Bollis stated one could argue that this decreases the density because they would be eliminating it as a <br />private residence. <br /> <br />Ms. Curtis shared that the density stays the same. <br /> <br />Bollis stated he could get behind a guest house on less than one acre, and said it would be nice to create <br />some off street parking without an additional curb cut. In general he likes the spirit of the application.