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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 18,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Mr. Smith replied the initial wall was timber and it is being replaced by a modular block wall. <br /> Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:06 p.m.There were no public comments. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. <br /> The Commissioners discussed the item. <br /> Ressler noted they have seen these before and it is important to get control of this before it becomes a <br /> problem as it is very difficult to rebuild in that area after damage has been done. He is in support of the <br /> application as proposed. <br /> Ressler moved,Peterson seconded,to approve LA22-000034, 1350 Rest Point Circle Requests <br /> Variance as applied.VOTE: Ayes: 6,Nays 0. <br /> 2. LA22-000035 ALEXANDER DESIGN GROUP,2659 CASCO POINT ROAD,REQUESTS <br /> VARIANCES FOR HARDCOVER,LOT AREA AND LOT WIDTH IN CONJUNCTION <br /> WITH REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY. (STAFF: MELANIE CURTIS) <br /> Kristy Raasch,Alexander Design Group,and Atrion Faiola.Applicant,were present. <br /> City Planner Curtis gave a presentation on the item and asked if the Commissioners received her email <br /> that afternoon with revised plans to the application.The Applicant has provided revised plans in response <br /> to the Staff recommendation of denial within the report.They are requesting variances in order to <br /> construct a new home on a property with substandard area and width.According to the revised plans they <br /> continue to request a hardcover variance to permit 29.2%hardcover where 25%is permitted; 32.1% <br /> currently exists and the original request reflect 30.8%hardcover.The revised plan reflects a 214 square <br /> foot reduction,they have eliminated the requested structural coverage variance and now show 20% <br /> conforming structural coverage. The boat house or shed down by the lake is existing and is planned to be <br /> rebuilt in-kind. The Applicant has stated that the size and width of the property provide challenges for <br /> development. The nonconforming lot size limits the amount of building footprint and hardcover from that <br /> of a conforming sized lot.They have provided supporting documentation and should be asked for <br /> additional testimony regarding the application. In this neighborhood, Staff finds practical difficulties <br /> inherent to the size and shape of the lot affecting the property which justifies the variances allowing <br /> redevelopment. However,the proposed structural coverage level,hardcover level,and deck stair <br /> encroachment into the side setback are not supported by practical difficulties.The plans have been <br /> modified to reduce building coverage and resulting hardcover,and the side setback for the deck stair has <br /> been eliminated.The Applicant submitted a neighborhood letter with signatures from neighbors; one <br /> neighbor comment was received via email and distributed today and should be included in the public <br /> record. Staff finds the lot area and width variances are supported by practical difficulty and Staff supports <br /> granting those variances. Staff would additionally support some level of hardcover variance for the <br /> redevelopment.Planning Commission should determine if revised hardcover level is supported by <br /> practical difficulty. <br /> Ms. Raasch stated with the lot being substandard they found it very difficult to get to the 25%and <br /> because the lot has an existing boat house it is also adding to the structural coverage and hardcover. She <br /> noted they are trying to improve the parking with a side-load garage and driveway which will allow more <br /> parking on their driveway and less on Casco Point Road. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />