Laserfiche WebLink
FILE # LA22-000001 <br />22 Feb 2022 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br />properties. The hardcover limitation is not unique to the applicants’ properties. Relative to the <br />request for a guest house, there are no special conditions that would support a guest house on the <br />Property. <br />9. The conditions do not apply generally to other land or structures in the district in which the land is <br />located. The substandard lot size is not unique to the immediate neighborhood however in the past, <br />the “Swenson” lot was separated from the original property at 2967 Casco Point Road and the <br />separation resulted in a unique and awkward lot configuration and the extreme average lakeshore <br />setback. The applicants wish to resolve the lot configuration. Responding the guest house issue, many <br />of the lots in the immediate area are smaller than the 1.0 acres necessary to support a guest house. <br />10. The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial <br />property right of the applicant. Granting some level of hardcover variance in this unique situation is <br />not entirely contrary to the intent of the zoning chapter. However the proposed level of hardcover, <br />including the addition of new hardcover is not supported by practical difficulty and is contrary to the <br />intent of the zoning chapter. The variance to the required minimum lot area for a guest house use is at <br />odds with Orono’s density standards and is not necessary for the applicants’ enjoyment of property <br />rights. <br />11. The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort or morals, or in <br />any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. The granting of a variance to the lot area <br />standard to permit a second dwelling unit on an undersized property is in direct conflict with the <br />intent of the comprehensive plan and zoning chapter. <br />12. The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to <br />alleviate demonstrable difficulty. It is possible that hardcover variances of a more appropriate scale <br />may be necessary, and may not merely serve as a convenience to the applicants. However, the lot <br />area variance for the guest house use and the variances for hardcover in excess of the minimum <br />necessary to reasonably serve the properties, as proposed appear to be strictly for the convenience of <br />the property owner and unsupported by practical difficulties. <br /> <br />The Commission may recommend or Council may impose conditions in granting of variances. Any conditions <br />imposed must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the impact created by the <br />variance. No variance shall be granted or changed beyond the use permitted in this chapter in the district where <br />such land is located. <br />Applicable Regulation: Conditional Use Permit (Section 78-916) <br /> <br />The Planning Commission may recommend and the Council may grant a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) as the <br />use permit was applied for or in modified form. On the basis of the application and the evidence submitted, <br />the city must find that the proposed use at the proposed location is or will be: <br />1) Consistent with the community management plan; The use of the property for residential uses is <br />consistent with the Community Management Plan. <br />2) Compliant with the zoning code, including any conditions imposed on specific uses as required by <br />article V, division 3 of the City Code; The proposed guest house is inconsistent with the lot size <br />requirements outlined in the city code, the first of three conditions placed for Guest House uses. <br />3) Adequately served by police, fire, roads, and stormwater management; These services are currently <br />provided to the building. <br />4) Provided with an adequate water supply and sewage disposal system; These services are currently <br />provided to the building. <br />5) Not expected to generate excessive demand for public services at public cost; It is not expected to <br />increase demand for these services.