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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,September 19,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> all of the neighboring water comes down on to this site and flows into the backyard.He noted they could, <br /> especially with 2817,work with all of these properties and help that situation. <br /> Bollis stated the City has approved some in the ALS with the neighboring house being extremely setback <br /> and he remembers those being hundreds of feet setback.He asked if that is accurate. <br /> Curtis replied they have granted ALS variances and she thinks the way the City Council looks at these is <br /> from a straight Code standpoint in looking at what the setback line is,what encroachments are being <br /> proposed,and whether they are supported by the affected neighbors. She noted they have had all kinds of <br /> different orientations of homes affecting the ALS. <br /> Ressler thinks the feedback for the Applicant is to know where this goes with the City Council. Showing <br /> the hardcover,even though it is in excess of what is applied for,is still an improvement of what they now <br /> have.In talking about odds,he thinks they have better odds of having that entertained. He noted the ALS <br /> is historically very restrictive,but rather than tabling he thinks they should rule on what the <br /> Commissioners have so it continues forward to the City Council rather than coming back to the <br /> Commission. <br /> Ressler moved,Kirchner seconded,to deny LA22-000036,2815 Casco Point Road,Variances as <br /> applied,for the reasons provided in comments.VOTE: Ayes: 7,Nays 0. <br /> Libby asked to speak about the Orono citizens who came to speak up for what they thought was right.He <br /> is not taking sides on this but he was involved in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and can say that Orono <br /> has a nicely articulated bluff ordinance that the public may want to look up. Many of the issues and <br /> questions discussed today are articulated in that rule of law which the Commissioners are guided by. <br /> 2. LA22-000043 SANJA DEGARMO,2675 FOX STREET,REQUESTS A FRONT YARD <br /> SETBACK VARIANCE IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT A GARAGE ADDITION TO THE <br /> EXISTING HOME. (STAFF: MELANIE CURTIS) <br /> Sanja DeGarmo,Applicant,was present. <br /> Staff gave a summary presentation of information. Curtis stated the subject property is on the corner of <br /> Fox Street and Gander Road. The property's narrower frontage is on Gander Road,making Gander Road <br /> by definition the"front"for setback purposes. The majority of the property is encumbered by a large <br /> wetland,resulting in a relative small buildable area on the 4.4 acre property. The Applicants are <br /> requesting variance from the required 50-foot front yard setback in order to construct a 648 square foot <br /> attached garage addition to the home. The existing 887 square foot detached garage will be removed. The <br /> garage addition is proposed to be set back approximately 35 feet from the front property line,where a 50- <br /> foot setback is required. The existing detached garage is located 22 feet from the front property line.The <br /> Applicant has identified the wetland encroachment,and the location of the existing improvements as <br /> practical difficulties supporting the requested variance.Additionally,they have provided supporting <br /> documentation provided in the packet. Staff finds the practical difficulty criteria has been met. The 4.4 <br /> acre property contains approximately 3.5 acres of wetland.The majority of the remaining dry land exists <br /> within the RR-1B building setbacks. The septic system location on the south side of the home further <br /> limits building opportunities in a conforming location. One comment from the public was received in <br /> support; Staff recommends approval of the variance as requested. <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br />