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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,August 15,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> and the City Engineer and Building Official will review the plans at the time of permit to determine if an <br /> engineering plan is required. Staff finds existing conditions of the failing retaining wall, substandard <br /> stairs,and vulnerable hillside are practical difficulties supporting this request. Staff recommends approval <br /> of the lake setback variance for the improvements as proposed. Staff further recommends additional <br /> screening of the walls be implemented to preserve the natural vegetated view from the lake where <br /> feasible. Curtis noted one slight change to the plans submitted earlier in the day and note the Applicant <br /> can answer questions regarding that. <br /> Kris Murphy,project manager from Backyard Reflections, stated no substantial trees will be removed. He <br /> spoke about the boulders and steps taking up more space than the timber wall and addition of vegetation <br /> to with deep root structure to help secure the hillside. <br /> Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. <br /> McCutcheon thinks this is pretty minimal and the Applicant is just trying to get to the lake which is their <br /> right. <br /> Kirchner and Kraemer agreed. <br /> Kraemer moved,Kirchner seconded,to approve LA22-000040, 1971 Fagerness Point Road, <br /> Variance.VOTE: Ayes: 5,Nays 0. <br /> 5. LA22-000041 ESKUCHE DESIGN,3005 CASCO POINT ROAD,REQUESTS AN <br /> AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE FOR A NEW HOME.(STAFF: <br /> MELANIE CURTIS) <br /> The Applicants were present. <br /> The Applicant is proposing to redevelop the property with a new single family home.As part of the <br /> project the property owner plans to combine the subject property with a portion of the property to the <br /> north addressed 2987 Casco Point Road.Further they plan to combine the remaining half of 2987 Casco <br /> Point Road with the"tennis court lot." The existing homes are planned to be removed. The Applicant has <br /> designed a new home for the newly enlarged property reflected in Exhibit D.For the purpose of this <br /> application the Planning Commission should treat the newly enlarged property as existing. If there are any <br /> approvals granted,they will be contingent upon completion of all the requirements to administratively <br /> move the lot lines.Due to the orientation of the property in relation to the neighboring homes and the <br /> curvature of the shoreline,the Applicant is requesting an average lakeshore setback variance for the new <br /> home. The Applicant has provided supporting documentation regarding the applicable practical <br /> difficulties attached as Exhibit B,and should be asked for additional testimony regarding the application. <br /> The neighboring home is pushed back from the lake 210 feet due to a relatively narrow 50 foot lakeshore <br /> strip. The result is a large average lakeshore setback over the subject property. The proposed home has <br /> been designed to reduce the impact to the adjacent property owners' views of the lake from the existing <br /> condition. The Applicant is proposing to reduce the encroachment into the average lakeshore setback by <br /> 15 feet, and reorient the home to pull back from the lake and away from the neighboring lots in the <br /> average setback area. Comments have been received and are included in the packet.An additional <br /> comment was submitted today. Staff finds that the Applicant's choice to build a replacement home in the <br /> Page 7 of 9 <br />